The Olympic calendar is not the same for everyone. At the Paris 2024 Games like everywhere else. For athletes, it begins on the day of the first events. For others – officials, media, politicians – it starts before.
Emmanuel Macron knows it. The French head of state has set his Olympic agenda for Monday July 22. Four days before the opening, he goes into Olympic mode. At the Elysée, but not only. The political crisis in France will not change anything.
First highlight, a visit to the athletes' village, on the morning of Monday July 22. Emmanuel Macron already knows the places, having discovered them at the end of last February. Under the rain. But he has never yet opened the door in the real conditions of a living and residence zone for more than 200 foreign delegations.
The President of the Republic will offer himself a long “ wandering » in companion of Thomas Bach. The IOC President has a head start, having visited the village on Thursday July 18, the day it opened to delegations. The two men already had the opportunity to speak last Tuesday, the German leader having gone to the Elysée at the invitation of Emmanuel Macron.
In the village on Monday, the presidential visit promises to be very sporty. The Elysée explained that the head of state intended to meet the athletes already installed. There will be no shortage of choice, with more than 4000 competitors having already taken over the buildings in the residential area. Logic: Emmanuel Macron planned an extended stop in one of the two buildings of the French delegation.
Later in the day, Monday July 22, second Olympic stage: the opening of the 142nd session of the IOC. It promises to be very sumptuous, at least because of the place chosen to bring together the hundred members of the body: the Louis Vuitton Foundation, in the Bois de Boulogne.
Between the athletes' village and the opening of the IOC session, Emmanuel Macron will return without delay to the Elysée, where he is due to receive an imposing battalion of international journalists (including FrancsJeux), came to Paris to cover the Olympic Games.
A " friendly moment », to use the formula of the Elysée, without cameras or cameras, where the head of state must “ thank those who will contribute to the visibility of this exceptional international sporting event and share a friendly moment in accordance with the French art of living. " Cool.
Emmanuel Macron will not leave his Paris 2024 outfit, Tuesday July 23, to visit Olympic sites and meet people “ mobilized on the installations for their operation and security"
The next highlight, the Sport for Sustainable Development Summit (S4SD), organized Thursday July 25 at the end of the afternoon at the Carrousel du Louvre. The design is intended to be very ambitious. It promises to “prepare for the future ». Not less. But the duration of the event – only 90 minutes – and a golden cast – around fifty heads of state – suggest more beautiful promises than very concrete progress.
Less directly linked to the Paris 2024 Games, but nevertheless included in the French president's Olympic agenda, a lunch with around forty CEO of no less large international companies. It is scheduled for Thursday July 25. Objective: to encourage these economic decision-makers on a global scale to choose France for their next investments.
The complete list has not been communicated, but the Elysée gave several names of the companies represented: the Indian giant Reliance, ArcelorMittal, Samsung, Tesla (Elon Musk), Coca-Cola. Also invited, the CEO of the main partners of the Paris 2024 Games.
The sequel turns out to be more classic. Friday July 26, Emmanuel Macron will receive at the Elysée, in the afternoon, the heads of state and government present at the opening ceremony. At the last count, there will be 110. The list is not yet final, but it is certain that Joe Biden will not be part of the party. The American president will be represented by his wife, Jill Biden. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also unannounced. In his place, the official Chinese delegation is expected to be led by Vice President Han Zheng.
The procession of dignitaries will then head towards the Trocadéro, to settle in the official stand for the opening ceremony on the Seine. The Games can then truly begin. For everyone this time.
