At 46 years old, the dynamic president of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee - a triple Olympic champion in canoe slalom - paddles into the final stretch with unwavering energy and passion. His ambition is to make the Paris Games a magical and unforgettable event. With less than 6 months until the opening ceremony, he shares his tips and most loved spots to discover France and its natural and cultural treasures in a unique festive atmosphere!
France.fr : What Will Be Special about the Paris Games and Why Should they Absolutely Not be Missed ? Tony Estanguet : 20204 will be a historic year that will showcase Paris and France to the world. In less than six months, for the first time in the history of the Games, the opening ceremony will take place outside of a stadium. The best athletes in the world will thrill us in spectacular competition venues such as the Grand Palais, the Esplanade des Invalides, the Palace of Versailles, the marina of Marseille... We are also very proud to host the first Summer Paralympic Games in France. It's an opportunity to give them a platform and to contribute to the growth of the Paralympic movement, to be a driving force for awareness and change in French society, in the world of sports, and beyond... These games must not be missed because they will leave a lasting impact on an entire generation. Paris and France will be in celebration mode with venues across the country, from Trocadéro for the Champions Park to over 200 Clubs 2024 throughout France.
France.fr : What Will be the Highlights of the Paris 2024 Gaems ? T.E : Forward-thinking and accessible to all, the opening ceremonies will be unlike any other spectacle seen before, showcasing the best of France to the entire world! For the first time, they will take place outside of a stadium, in the heart of Paris, with free access for spectators. This is also the first time we will go so far in merging sports and art, with athletes fully involved. But the start of the celebrations will take place well before summer, with the launch of the Olympic Flame Relay on May 8, 2024, and August 25 for the Paralympic
Tell us everything, take us on a dream journey… The Olympic Flame will grace Marseille aboard the Belem, the oldest and most renowned French three-masted ship. Meanwhile, the Paralympic Flame will cross the English Channel from Stoke Mandeville, England. These flames will traverse France, passing through its most iconic landmarks: the Lascaux caves, Mont-Saint-Michel, Lourdes, the Mont-Blanc valley, the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, Chartres Cathedral, Mont Ventoux, Puy du Fou, and the Cannes Palais des Festivals... It's a true spectacle of grandeur
The course that the Torch relays follows is so varied, that it is impossible to summarize France in only one landscape or region.
France.fr : What are your personal expectations as president of the organizing committee of the Paris Games? TE : Paris 2024 will be a unique moment of celebration in our country. We are living in difficult times, which is all the more reason to rise to the occasion. I want these Games to showcase the best of what France has to offer and to make the French people proud! But we still have six months to go, and we know that the last few months are always the most decisive. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are approaching the final stretch with confidence.
France.fr : What are the values of sport that you carry with you on a daily basis and that the Paris Games want to convey? T.E : Sports instill the love of effort, surpassing oneself, never giving up, and excellence... These values are also important for living in society: they are indeed values of respect, solidarity, diversity, sharing, and coming together. Paris 2024 is proud to continue to promote these values and wants to go even further, with Games that are particularly Socially responsible and useful to our society. For example, the Paris Games will be sustainable from an environmental point of view, with half the carbon emissions of previous editions. They will also be the first Olympic Games with gender parity, with an equal number of female and male athletes on the starting lines. And they will contribute to a more inclusive society, thanks to the first summer Paralympic Games in France, by changing our collective view of disability.
For the first time since 1924, Paris is preparing to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. From 26 July 2024 and for 45 days, the City of Light and the whole of France will be celebrating this global event, bringing together 10,500 athletes and 4,400 para-athletes. The 13 million ticket holders who have gone on sale will be in for a spectacular and emotional time. Provided they have planned ahead. Buying tickets, accommodation, transport... We tell you everything you need to know to enjoy a hassle-free competition.
France.fr : What Advice Would You Give Visitors to Make the Most out of Their Stay and Discover France during the Olympic Games? T.E : To discover the rich tapestry of France, look no further than the journeys of the Olympic and Paralympic flames. These routes traverse iconic landmarks that embody French culture, breathtaking landscapes, and the country's remarkable diversity.
For heritage enthusiasts, there's the grandeur of Versailles Palace, the awe-inspiring Mont-Saint-Michel, and the poignant Normandy Landing beaches. Learn about French leadership at Charles de Gaulle's memorial in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, or delve into Joan of Arc's legacy in Orléans.
For nature lovers, France offers unparalleled beauty. Witness the majestic peaks of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre or the Mont Blanc valley. Explore the dramatic gorges and turquoise waters of the Verdon Regional Natural Park, or find serenity on the picturesque Île-aux-Moines.
France's overseas territories beckon as well. The Ocean Relay guides the flame through the diverse landscapes of French Guiana, Réunion, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, and Martinique.
Beyond heritage and nature, immerse yourself in French craftsmanship. Explore the esteemed wine regions of Saint-Émilion, Chablis, or Coteaux-du-Layon. Marvel at the architectural marvel, the Millau Viaduct, and witness cutting-edge technology at the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana.
The flame's journey also highlights additional treasures. Explore the Louvre-Lens' art collections and soak in the glamorous atmosphere of the Côte d'Azur, with its iconic Cannes Film Festival.
These are just a glimpse of the countless experiences awaiting you in France. Let the Olympic and Paralympic flames inspire your journey of discovery!
Will the Paris Games also rhyme with culture? ? T.E : Yes, discovering France is also about discovering its culture. And these Paris 2024 Games are offering an exceptional cultural program alongside the competition. Through the Cultural Olympiad, we have mobilized all the players in the field of culture and local authorities throughout France. In total, more than 2,000 projects are listed online on the Cultural Olympiad platform, thanks to the participation of more than 500 local authorities, hundreds of artists and more than 70 renowned institutions.
France.fr : What are your favorite travel destinations and regions in France? T.E :Nouvelle-Aquitaine, where I am from, and especially the Landes and the Basque Country, of course! I may be a bit chauvinistic, but if I love this region, it's also because it allows you to practice a great many sports, starting with nature sports. We have the incredible chance of being able to practice in magnificent landscapes, those of the Pyrenees, and also of having access to other practices such as basketball or rugby. Beyond Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the diversity of the territories that our country has to offer is such that it is difficult to choose... If the route of the torch relay is also so varied, it is because it is impossible to summarize France with a single landscape, a single region.
France.fr: What sports do you practice during your leisure time, with your family, and where in France? T.E: Quite a few, because my three teenage children are full of energy! We really like to go canoeing in the Gave de Pau, in the heart of Béarn, hiking in the Pyrenees, or even surfing in Capbreton, in the Landes. I am happy that we share this passion for sport and nature, this desire to surpass ourselves and to go further and further. I myself experienced this with my parents and brothers, when I was very young. So I guess it's in the family!
Interview collected by Pascale Filliatre
By Pascale Filliâtre
Journalist-traveller. I often voyage to the end of the world to explore what France offers... just next door. filliatre.pascale@orange.fr
