France – 29 December 2016
As 2016 draws to a close, the leaders of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid Committee take the opportunity to thank the global sporting family and to share their hope for an exciting year to come in 2017.
In an Olympic year which saw the very first Games take place in South America at Rio 2016, Paris 2024 pays tribute to the Olympic Family – athletes, fans, International Sports Federations, Olympic Committees and international media who collectively helped to make 2016 a thrilling year of sport.
Paris 2024 leaders would also like to thank everyone that has helped to create an excellent Olympic and Paralympic bid project for the French capital city – including athletes, bid committee staff, young sports fans and ambassadors, sports organisations and all levels of government in France.
In addition, Paris 2024 leaders reaffirm the team’s excitement looking ahead to 2017, which includes further major sporting events and significant bid milestones, such as the start of the international campaign phase, the submission of Bid Book 3, the IOC Evaluation Commission visit and the election of the 2024 Host City in September, in Lima, Peru.
Paris 2024 Co-Chair, IOC Member and triple Olympic Champion, Tony Estanguet, said:
"2016 has been a wonderful year of sport and the Paris 2024 team was thrilled and honoured to experience the wonderful Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and many other fantastic sporting events across the world.
"Witnessing so many world-class, talented athletes compete for glory with determination always reminds us about why we are bidding for the Games and how sport can be a positive and inspiring force for humanity. Paris 2024 will harness this spirit and ensure that our Games of passion and purpose can be shared with the world to create real and lasting community legacies.
"On behalf of Paris 2024, I also want to thank the IOC, International Federations, National Olympic Committees and the broader Olympic Family for all their support and guidance to our bid during 2016. Their advice has been invaluable as our bid concepts and plans have developed during the year."
Paris 2024 Co-Chair, Bernard Lapasset, said:
"2016 was a great year in France for sport and we were delighted to successfully host major international sporting events like the European Football Championships where people from all over the continent came together for a spectacular celebration.
"Our bid has galvanised the people of Paris and France, which reflects our nation’s real passion for the Games and all Olympic sport. This passion for sport and our record for hosting major sporting events successfully and safely in stunning city locations is a great platform for our Olympic and Paralympic bid – and we now look forward to an exciting 2017 when we will continue to express this sporting passion and our other key strengths to the international sporting community.
"I also want to thank everyone working at Paris 2024 and all our valued supporters and stakeholders, as well as the millions of passionate sports fans backing our bid, for helping to build a great project together. Our collective hard work continues in 2017 when we hope to achieve the ultimate goal of being the honoured host of the Games in 2024."
-ENDS-
For further information:
Raphaël Leclerc
Paris 2024 Bid Committee
Email: rleclerc@paris2024.org
+33 6 73 16 88 06
Amelia Fisher-Starzynski
VERO Communications
Email: afisher-starzynski@verocom.co.uk
+44 (0)7557 418 187
Engage with the Paris 2024 bid here:
Website: www.paris2024.org
Twitter: @Paris2024
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Paris2024
Instagram: http://instagram.com/paris2024
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