Paris 2024 have held a celebration in front of their City Hall to mark the French capital being awarded the rights to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The decision to officially award the 2024 and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to Paris and Los Angeles was made earlier this week.
It came after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session rubber-stamped the agreement between the two cities and the IOC by a show of hands.
The ratification of the agreement came after it was approved at an Extraordinary IOC Session in Lausanne in July, paving the way for the IOC to award two editions of the Games at the same time.
Paris 2024 opted to host a free outdoor concert to thank the people in the city for their support to hosting the Games.
Paris will now follow London in hosting the Summer Olympics for a third time after also doing so in 1900 and 1924.
“Returning to the host city of Paris has been a special feeling and joining the celebration of our victory has been very emotional,” said Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 President.
“This is a victory for the people of Paris and the whole of France and we say thank you for your support.
“We must now work to deliver our Games plan and to use the next seven years to boost sport in France and Olympic values here and across the world.
“Parisians have been with us every step along this journey, and we will continue to engage with the people of Paris and France as we utilize all this positive energy for the good of sport and local communities.”
The concert included performances by Liam Payne, formerly of One Direction, Kids United, Florent Pagny, Christophe Wilhem, Amir and Marina Kaye.
Officials from Paris 2024 joined spectators at the event, along with athletes who have supported their bid for the Games.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo claimed the city would now begin work to deliver on pledges made during the bid process to ensure a strong legacy from the Games.
“These are special moments that I am honored to share with the people of Paris and I thank every citizen for their support,” she said.
“I am so proud of what we have achieved as a city and I look forward to continuing the journey together as we turn our attention to delivering on our pledges.
“Becoming a host city is a wonderful opportunity for the city and the country and we must take it with both hands.
“Everyone has worked so hard for this victory and now the journey begins to ensure our vision for spectacular Games with real legacy is secured.”
By Michael Pavitt
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.