EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TONY ESTANGUET, PRESIDENT OF PARIS 2024

I'm hearing a rumour that you guys have prepared something pretty special for the Opening Ceremony. I know it's three years away, but something quite different?
It's not just for the Opening Ceremony, but for the entire games – we are preparing an exceptional Games. We want to put sports in the iconic spaces and sites in Paris at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, on the Champs-Élysée, at the Shattered Versailles.

But for sure, the Opening Ceremony is one of the biggest milestones of the Olympics, so we are preparing something that is unique, something different, something spectacular at the at the heart of the city of Paris. We want to offer to the athletes of the world, one of the best experiences of their life, working in the in the in this marvellous city of Paris and engaging with hundreds of thousands of fans in Paris.

It is an incredible, beautiful city. Are we likely to see sort of the delegations walking along the Champs-Élysées instead of in a stadium, maybe?
That's an option...

Is that a secret?
Not confirmed, because we still have three years to come, but I can guarantee you that it will be fantastic. We will also use the River Seine, with the Louvre or with the Eiffel Tower. So, it will be also a fantastic showcase, and I hope a very good experience for all.

Let's talk about the Games in Tokyo. It goes without saying, doesn't it? They are so different to any Olympics we've seen before.
Yes, what a challenge for the for the Japanese and congratulations to them because it's so powerful to maintain those Games. What a message of hope, what a message fantastic for the athletes. The last two seasons we have so difficult for them to qualify, to be there, to be in good shape and has enacted to former athletes. I can tell you how impressed I am by the Japanese work. I think it will be two weeks of fantastic emotions, in terms of sports so, congratulations again. And all the best to those athletes because they will realize the dream by being here and by inspiring the world in the coming days.

We know there are no supporters out there in this in the stands, but we also know that President Macron will be there for a couple of days, that in itself is such a big gesture of support, isn't it?
It's a strong message with the President of the French Head of State for sure. For the athletes, it was disappointing to learn that their supporters won't be here to support them, but with Emmanuel Macron, all the country is behind their athletes and it’s fantastic that he could make it because, to support the he Japanese, but also the French delegation.

He is really committed to the success also of Paris 2024. He was also here for two days to meet different people and to prepare the success of Paris 2024. So, by being here I think he's had a very strong message.

Do you have a personal message of support for the athletes?
Of course, of course I want the best for the French delegation I really wish them the best of success. I think it's been a two very difficult seasons for them and now they just have to give the maximum. Again, it won't be easy without their supporters. But they are the ones to be able to adapt. And what I was impressed on the last few days by interactive with them. And it's the ones who are so positive they just see the positive of being here to realize the dream they want to succeed.

So honestly, I think that that will be fantastic games because the athletes are ready. They are in good shape and they will give their best.

One final question to you is that when a nation hands over to the next nation, that takes the baton for the Olympics, that's usually something very special. What can we expect on the 8th of August in that closing ceremony when Paris takes them to stage?
Yes, Paris 2024 is on track. We are ready to take the baton and to receive after Tokyo 2020, the honour to host the Games, so we are preparing a fantastic ceremony of around 10 minutes at the end of the closing ceremony of Tokyo, 2020.

Paris 2024 is about spectacular Games, but also open games and we will give a flavour in in few minutes for what will be those Games in 2024 that will be the first ceremony of Paris 2024. It was not easy to prepare this one in in this very difficult context, but I can tell you that it will be quite spectacular, so I hope you will watch this ceremony on the 8th of August.

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