La Rochelle, July 16, 2004 – Paris 2012 unveiled today the infrastructure existing in the Atlantic coast city of La Rochelle.

 

The historic city is the location chosen for the Olympic and Paralympic sailing competitions, if Paris were selected as the host of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

Making this announcement as part of its road show across France, Paris 2012 also inaugurated the “Paris 2012 House” in the state-of the-art Port des Minimes, host to several international sailing and regatta competitions, which welcomes thousands of aquatic enthusiasts every year.

 

In presence of the following dignitaries: Maxime Bono, Deputy-Mayor of La Rochelle; Ségolène Royal, President of the Poitou-Charentes Regional Council; Jean-Paul Denanot, President of the Limousin Regional Council; Jean-Pierre Champion, President of the French Sailing Federation; Luc Gellusseau, French World Sailing Champion, Jean-Paul Huchon, President of the Ile-de-France Region and Vice-President of Paris 2012; and Essar Gabriel, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Paris 2012, were on hand to inaugurate the “Paris 2012 House”.

 

The “Paris 2012 House” will serve as an exhibition centre showcasing the Paris 2012 concept and will provide visitors with information on the Olympic proposal of La Rochelle. La Rochelle represents an ideal example of the French approach to sustainable development, ecology and green transportation services. As a part of this project, the La Rochelle Olympic Village will be High Environment Quality compliant, including an Olympic aquatic park with a vegetal garden that will remain as a legacy to the City.

 

Maxime Bono, Deputy Mayor of La Rochelle, said, “La Rochelle and its Bay has served as an important coastal location for centuries and enjoys an excellent track-record for staging major international sea competitions. We would be proud and honoured to mobilise our knowledge and expertise to serve our nation’s Olympic dreams. We believe the impact of such an event on the whole Atlantic region will be tremendously positive.”

 

As part of its road show, the Paris 2012 delegation welcomed the arrival of the boat Ile-de-France in La Rochelle, which is also one of the stops of the “Tour de France à la Voile” sailing competition. Dressed in the colours of Paris 2012, Ile-de-France is currently ranked fifth in the competition.

 

Jimmy Pahun, French skipper and former Olympic athlete, expressed his enthusiasm for the project : “For nearly 30 years, La Rochelle has been the French sailing institution, having staged the World and European Championships, and the prestigious Finn only 3 month ago. It is one of the most beautiful, interesting and technical water sites I have experienced. And La Rochelle truly loves sailing”.