The exercise is infrequent, but it says a lot about the atmosphere behind the scenes at the Paris 2024 Games: Thomas Bach appeared before the media on Saturday August 3, mid-morning. The IOC President was not forced to do so either by custom or by circumstances. He most often reserves himself for a closing press conference, on the eve or the day of the curtain dropping, as an opportunity to share his impressions as the head of the institution.
In Paris, however, Thomas Bach shook up habits with a one-hour visit to the main press center, on the 3rd floor of the Palais des Congrès. The occasion: a milestone, to use an expression dear to the COJO Paris 2024. A mid-term briefing, shared with Tony Estanguet, the president of the organizing committee.
What should we remember? A play on words, an avalanche of praise, and a reminder that the success of the Paris 2024 Games also owes a lot to the IOC.
First of all, the play on words. During the “preliminary remarks”, Thomas Bach took his eyes off his notes to suggest: “ We are currently experiencing a sensational Olympic Games. I would even dare to say Seinesational. »The IOC President delivered it in English, proud of its effect and its touch of humor. Luckily, the formula is understood as well in English as in French, the two official languages of the Olympic movement.
More seriously, Thomas Bach whistled for half-time of the Paris 2024 Games without leaving the slightest doubt: so far so good. And even much better than good. “ France has completely fallen in love with the Olympic Games,he emphasized. I want to congratulate Tony(Estanguet) and his entire team. Their slogan, “Games wide open”, couldn’t be better. The triathlon was sensational. As for fencing, my sport, it is already said that we can no longer say we have seen fencing if we have not seen it at the Grand Palais. »
Everything is rolling, then. Thoroughly, without misbehavior. But the IOC President pointed it out by turning to Tony Estanguet, seated to his right facing the media: “ Tony and I know, having been Olympians, that the competition is never won until the last second. We're at half-time. We will take stock at the end of the last day. But we are confident. Everything is in place for these Games to be those of a new era.”
While waiting for the final point, the IOC has done its sums: the audience for the Paris 2024 Games is already showing all the records. On television and digital: 8,5 billion views on the IOC's social media, 83,3% market share on France Télévisions for the opening ceremony, 82,7% of the Japanese population having followed the competitions. Thomas Bach announces it: “ We are on track to have more than half of the world’s population watching the Paris 2024 Games at least once.”
Thomas Bach said it again and again: the credit goes to the organizing committee, its teams and its volunteers. But be careful, the IOC must not be forgotten when composing the honor roll. Its part of the work also counts, at least for another success of the French Games: the level and quality of the competitions.
« I don't think I've ever seen events this close and tight competitions at the Olympic Games., recognized Thomas Bach. We owe it to the work of Olympic Solidarity, whose budget we decided during the last session to further increase, bringing it to $650 million. We are also on the right track. » The IOC is satisfied, with the organization but also with itself. Not the slightest merit from COJO Paris 2024.
