Reporting From Lausanne, Switzerland – International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach welcomed both Los Angeles 2024 and Paris 2024 bid delegations to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne Monday for short meetings with the leadership in advance of planned technical briefings to the full group of IOC members Tuesday Morning.
Led by French President Emmanuel Macron, the Paris delegation arrived under a high security protocol, and just as showers began to dampen the grounds outside the Museum. Thunder echoed while the two were touring the museum.
Following the private meeting, Bach and Macron made remarks in French to the assembled media.
Speaking for about two-and-a-half minutes Macron discussed how Olympic values are cherished in his nation that is rich with Olympic history. Then, referencing the recent difficult times in the world he explained how a Paris 2024 bid was right for the Olympic Movement.
“In this troubled world, we come to you through with pride, determination and humility. The Olympic values is what the world needs – more multilateralism,” the French President said.
The LA team was led by Mayor Eric Garcetti who arrived a couple of hours earlier in bright sunshine, leading Bach to quip about about the LA 2024 bid slogan “Follow the Sun.”
Bach said “we think that it would be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate this rich Olympic heritage of Los Angeles and write the next chapter in Olympic history together.”
“But, we are in sports, and in sports there is always competition. With Los Angeles and Paris there are two fantastic cities from countries with a profound Olympic history.”
On Tuesday the IOC membership will determine whether to adopt the Executive Board’s proposal to award both strong bids with consecutive Games in 2024 and 2028. If they rubber-stamp the plan, both editions of the Games would be awarded in Lima, Peru on September 13.
Garcetti, speaking for a total of about four minutes said after his meeting with Bach said “we welcome the Executive Board’s decision to look at the simultaneous award of two successive summer Games. We think this is a win-win-win, and we are very excited, even in that context, to be sharing our unique story with the entire membership of the IOC tomorrow.”
Bach offered both leaders a warm embrace following the remarks. He posed for group photos with the entire team and the IOC leadership in advance of the meetings.
On Tuesday the two cities will make their presentations to the IOC at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne.
