The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made history after awarding two editions of the summer Olympic and Paralympic at once, confirming Paris, France, will stage the 2024 Games and Los Angeles in California, US, the 2028 event.
Speaking yesterday (Wednesday), IOC president Thomas Bach hailed the move as an “historic event” and a “win-win-win” situation for the IOC, as well as Paris and Los Angeles.
The double allocation is the result of a ‘Tripartite Agreement’ between the IOC and the two cities, the details of which came to light after a number of IOC vice-president put forward the idea of awarding hosting rights to two editions of the showpiece event at the same time.
In March, a working group was set up to study the idea, before the IOC Session in July gave its full approval to the initiative, with an initial agreement for Paris to host the 2024 Games and Los Angeles the 2028 event.
“This historic double allocation is a ‘win-win-win’ situation for the city of Paris, the city of Los Angeles and the IOC,” Bach said. “It is hard to imagine something better. Ensuring the stability of the Olympic Games for the athletes of the world for the next 11 years is something extraordinary.
“These are two great cities from two great countries with a great Olympic history. Both cities are very enthusiastic about the Games and are promoting the Olympic spirit in a fantastic way.”
Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, a staunch supporter of the French capital’s bid since its infancy, also spoke of her delight at securing the 2024 Games: “With this team, I am very proud and moved to bring the Games back to Paris. At the heart of these Games, we will place young people, who represent our present, our hope and our pride.”
Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles, also spoke positively about bringing the Olympic Games back to the US for the first time since Atlanta 1996. He said: “LA is a city where the Games are not a barrier to making progress; we know that they are an accelerating force to re-envisioning a better city and a better world in the days ahead as we welcome you back to the City of Angels.”
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