The Paris2024 Organizing Committee denied this Monday that the recent riots that have taken place in France over the death of the young Nahel could affect the next Olympic Games scheduled for next summer.
“Next year in France and in the world everything will continue, but I want to remind you that none of these events had a negative impact on Paris 2024,” said Tony Estanguet, also referring to covid-19 and strikes. paralyzed Paris. countries, in addition to the unrest that erupted after Nahel was shot dead by a policeman on June 27 near Paris during a traffic control.
The president of the organizing committee, who spoke at the press conference, said that France “has a great opportunity to host an exceptional Games” from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
The organization started this Monday with the first tests to ensure the proper functioning of the Olympic Games: one related to the opening ceremony, of a technical nature, in the waters of the Seine, in Paris, and another, more sporty, in Marseille. , where the sailing competitions will be held, which, according to Estangue, were crowned with success.
The former Olympic canoeist acknowledged that the organizing committee will still have to face some challenges, including safety issues, a priority for Paris2024, which promises an “unprecedented device”.
The goal is to avoid scenes like those that took place in May 2022 in the hours leading up to the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, which the Spanish won 1-0.
“It will be a place in the world where we will be completely safe,” he defended, also pointing to transport as another of the most difficult tasks: “We are calm because at the moment we have already found solutions for almost all sessions” .
Estangue also addressed the presence of Russians or Belarusians, recalling that it is the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee, and not the organizing committee, who should decide whether these athletes can participate in Paris 2024.
“We have to salute the athletes who have qualified and been confirmed,” he concluded.