Macron says Paris 2024 Olympic bid embodies 'threatened' values

[July 11, 2017]  By Karolos Grohmann and Brian Homewood

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday described Paris's bid to host the 2024 Olympics as the best defense against threats to the Games' values of openness, tolerance and respect for the environment.

"Olympic values are our values. They are threatened, called into question by many today, so it's the best moment to defend them," Macron told reporters after the city presented its bid to the International Olympic Committee.

Paris is competing against Los Angeles, publicly backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, whom Macron has criticized for taking his country out of the Paris accord on climate change.

Macron was the first head of state to attend the formal presentation of Olympic bids; Trump was not present.

Paris, which hosted the 1900 and 1924 Games, failed with bids to host the 1992, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

"You are right to remember that we lost three times. We don't want to lose a fourth one," Macron said.

"I decided from the very beginning of my mandate to back this project and give the maximum to promote this candidature."

The IOC was due to vote later on Tuesday on whether to ratify its executive board's recommendation to award both the 2024 and 2028 Games at the same time, on Sept. 13.

French President Emmanuel Macron and French slalom canoeist Tony Estanguet attend the press conference after the briefing of 2024 Olympic Games candidate cities Paris and Los Angeles ahead of final election of 2024 Olympic host city, in Lausanne, Switzerland July 11, 2017. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy

Paris is seen as the favorite to land the 2024 Olympics, with Los Angeles having hinted it would accept 2028.

Los Angeles, like Paris, has already hosted the Olympics twice - in 1932 and 1984.

"I am here to convey a message that the French people are ready," said Macron. "I would not be here if they were not ready."

Paris is proposing a compact Games with almost every venue temporary or already in place. But it still needs to build an athletes' village, the biggest project of the bid.

Macron said Paris would not be leaving any "white elephants" behind.

(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann and Michel Rose; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

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