(ATR) Paris and Los Angeles are locked in a two-horse race with six months to go until the selection of the 2024 Summer Olympic host city.
Paris 2024 co-president Tony Estanguet says that the Paris bid is one for all of Europe and a victory on Sept. 13 could revitalize the Olympic movement throughout the continent.
"For the IOC, Paris 2024 is a good way to launch and build a new dynamic in Europe," Estanguet tells Around the Rings. "There are signals that are not very positive regarding the position of the Olympics in Europe.
"Paris is a unique chance for the IOC to have a very strong partner and we want to be this partner," said the French IOC Athletes Commission member. "We also want to share this project with our colleagues from Europe. France has always been a nation open to the world with strong human values."
Budapest abandoned the race for the 2024 Games on Feb. 23, leaving the IOC with only Paris and Los Angeles to choose from. Rome exited due to lack of city government support in December.
Estanguet says with six months remaining it is time for the Paris bid to elevate the intensity, just like he did as a three-time Olympic canoe singles champion.
"We will gain in intensity and maybe in importance also – we will try to be more dedicated to the promotion," Estanguet said. "We’ve been working so long around the technical aspect of our bid and now it’s time to start more communication and promotion."
An IOC Evaluation Commission will make an inspection visit to the French capital on May 14-16.
"It’s a unique occasion for us to demonstrate how strong our project is and how we can be the best partner for the Olympic movement," Estanguet said. "We know that the different important tests ahead will be critical, every moment is so important."
Estanguet shied from sharing his opinion on the much debated possibility of the IOC awarding multiple Games for 2024 and 2028 at the Lima session in September.
"My role as a co-chair of 2024 is to win the 2024 Games and to remain focused on this challenge only," Estanguet said.
"The rules so far are very clear – there is only one city that will be awarded for the 2024 Games.
"We have a very strong project, a very strong team coming from the sport movement and we have strong very support.
"There is such a strong unity from the political leaders, the private sector and also the French people. They are supporting the bid and there is such a strong dynamic so this is my role and my objective."
Estanguet affirms that the country’s political support remains high and will not be affected by French national elections that begin on April 23. If no candidate receives a majority vote, then a run-off election between the two top candidates will be held on May 7.
Paris is aiming to mark 100 years since it previously hosted the Games and to avoid the indignity of a fourth successive defeat after the disappointments of losing out to London for 2012 and previously for the 2008 and 1992 Games.
"Since the beginning of the Games, thanks to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, France has been a strong partner to the Olympic family," Estanguet said.
"We are a nation that has participated at every edition of the Games and the legacy of the 1924 Games is important to our country.
"This is why he have high expectations and this desire to win this competition," Estanguet continued. "We waited for this time a long time and now we hope that it is our turn."
Written by Brian Pinelli
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