KEIR RADNEDGE in PARIS: New French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that he will support the Paris pursuit of host rights to the 2024 Olympic Games at the major IOC bid review in Lausanne on July 11-12.
Macron’s first formal domestic audience after his accession to the presidency on Sunday was granted early today to members of the Paris bid committee and the visiting International Olympic Committee evaluation committee.
Macron’s declared enthusiasm for the bid has contrasted with the more distant relationship between President Donald Trump and the Los Angeles bid.
Lausanne in July sees all members of the IOC hear directly from the bids ahead of the vote at the session (congress) in Lima on September 13.
Macron made a point of wearing the official Paris 2024 bid tie and shared in a photo-opportunity with the offcials.
Tony Estanguet co-president of Paris 2024, said: “The President said he would be present for the decisive steps without saying specifically he would be in Lima. He has committed to being present in Lausanne because that is the next step and then we’ll see, after that, for Lima.”
Still also undecided is how the IOC president Thomas Bach will manage the expected diplomatic trick of awarding both 2024 and 2028 Games in Lima to the only two remaining – and outstanding – contestants in the 2024 race.
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