International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach asked the world on Friday to share the joy of sport so that the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris can bring hope for the future.
“That is why tonight, with my heart full of emotion, I invite the whole world: let us celebrate the joy of sport together with all athletes. We have hope for the future. Let us celebrate together the best of our humanity,” he said.
In his speech at the opening ceremony of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, Bach said there was no better place than Paris to “share the magic of the Olympic Games with the whole world.”
“Paris, the hometown of our founder Pierre de Coubertin, to whom we owe everything. Paris, the city of light, where he created the Olympic Games of the modern era. Paris, the city of love. Thank you, France, for this magical welcome,” he said.
Returning to the athletes, Bach said they “came to Paris as athletes” but “they are now Olympians,” becoming part of “something bigger” than themselves.
“We are now part of an event that unites the world within the world. In our Olympic world, there is no ‘global south’ or ‘global north’. We all play by the same rules and respect each other. In our Olympic world, we are all part of it,” he said.
Bach stressed that as Olympic athletes, they care for each other, live in solidarity, which allows “in a world divided by wars and conflicts” for everyone to be together, “uniting athletes from the territories of all 206 National Olympic Committees” and the Olympic Refugee Team.”
The Olympic Games will run until August 11, crowning 329 champions and awarding 1,017 medals.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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