Paris, September 22, 2004 – Jean-Francois Lamour, French Minister of Sport, Youth and Associations, underlined the positive long-term impact that the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games could have on the French economy, as well as on participation in sports in France.

 

Based on findings from a recent report from independent research and consulting company, The Boston Consulting Group (”BCG”), Mr. Lamour said that the 2012 Olympic Games could generate Euro 6 billion of additional revenues for France, between 2005 and 2012.

 

After 2012, this additional revenue is projected to continue rising for a period of 10 years, at approximately Euro 5 billion per year. This rise includes Euro 2 billion earmarked for the French sports business annually. Moreover, according to the report, the Paris Olympic Games would also create about 42,000 sustainable new jobs, half of which would be created in the sports industry.

 

"These projections show the potential long-term economic and social benefits of a Paris Olympics in 2012.  Without question, the people of France stand to gain a great deal from a Paris Games and it is our goal to solidify these benefits by creating and implementing specific public policies to support the Organisation Committee as early as July 2005," Mr. Lamour said.

 

In addition to these economic benefits, a Paris Olympic Games would play a significant role in fostering the development of sports throughout the country. According to projections revealed by BCG, a Paris Games would encourage 4.3 million new sports enthusiasts, including 600.000 new sports’ club members and 1.9 million regular sports participants.

 

"What we want to avoid is to create an ‘Olympic bubble’ that would not last," added Mr. Lamour. "It is our intention to ensure that the Paris Olympic Games have a long lasting and definable legacy. We are confident that the innate French ‘Amour des Jeux’ would raise amazing enthusiasm around a Paris Olympics. In order to achieve this goal, the French Ministry of Sport and other arms of the government have the opportunity and responsibility to initiate the right policies to accompany this incredible event and sustain tangible benefits well beyond 2012."