Political turmoil in France will not affect Paris Games, says IOC head
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International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said French political leaders were united in their support of the Paris Games.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PARIS - The political upheaval in France will not affect preparations for the Olympic Summer Games, said International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach on June 10 after President Emmanuel Macron shocked France with his call for new parliamentary elections
Mr Macron called the snap election after the far-right National trounced his own party in the June 9 European Parliament vote. Two voting rounds will be held on June 30 and July 7, the latter coming less than three weeks before the Olympics begin.
“France is used to holding elections. They will do it one more time. There will be a new government and everyone will support the Olympics,” Mr Bach said during a Paris 2024 run-up event in Paris, adding that French political leaders were united in their support of the Games.
“I have no indication whatsoever that this unity will break now only a couple of days before the Games open,” he said.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, a socialist, said she was “having a hard time understanding” why Mr Macron chose to throw the country into political uncertainty so close to the Games, calling the move “one more coup” by the president.
Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet said his team was “more determined than ever” to make the Games a success. “There were around ten elections since we launched the candidacy for the Olympics, and we understood how to work with the public actors.” REUTERS
