10-05-2004
Lamour wants the Paralympic Component to be Perfect
The Minister of Sport, Jean-François Lamour has expressed his wish for the Paris 2012 Candidature File to include an “exemplary” Paralympic component. He also took the opportunity to congratulate the French team, who ranked 9th at the Athens Paralympic Games.
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J.F. Lamour welcomed the French Team on the 29th of September at Orly Airport. (© AFP) |
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In the Council of Minister’s meeting, Jean-François Lamour highlighted a report
on the organisation and growth of the Paralympic Games, released on the 28th of
September in Athens.
He said that "the experience received in Athens will enrich the Paris 2012 Candidature
File". He emphasised that the Paralympians "have achieved powerful recognition
thus creating a stronger position in the world sports arena", and stressed that
the Paralympic part of the Paris 2012 dossier must be "exemplary". |
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In their project to organise the Paralympic Games, the Paris 2012 Bid Committee’s
major objective is to make the Paralympics a global sporting success. 19 events
are planned and in keeping with the Olympic spirit, the Paralympics will be held
a few days after the Olympic Games and utilise a majority of the same sporting
facilities.
During the Council of Minister’s meeting, Jean-François Lamour congratulated
the French team on their medal success (74 including 18 Gold) and for achieving
9th place in the world. For him, "the increased international participation"
in the 2004 Paralympics explained the team’s inferior results compared to Sydney
in 2000. He particularly praised the "performance of female athletes who obtained
half of the Gold Medals". |
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