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11-25-2004
Zinedine Zidane Gives His Amour des Jeux to Paris 2012 |
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Zinedine Zidane, one of the most successful and recognized players in the history
of international football, has pledged his full support to the Paris Bid to host
the 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Zidane, a three-time FIFA World Footballer of the Year who led the French national
team to victory in the 1998 World Cup, received the Paris 2012 Candidature File
at a ceremony in Madrid, where he currently plays for the Spanish team Real Madrid.
Thierry Rey, a 1980 Judo Olympic Champion and Paris 2012 Sports Advisor, and Assia
El Hannouni, winner of four Gold Medals at the 2004 Paralympic Games, made the
official presentation.
“I am deeply moved to receive the Candidature File of Paris, the host city to
France’s World Cup victory in 1998,” Zidane said. “I am thrilled to have an opportunity
to share my Amour des Jeux with the rest of the world and help bring the Games
to Paris and the magnificent Stade de France”.
“Winning the World Cup for France is the proudest moment of my career, and being
the first player to score a goal at the Stade de France six months earlier made
it even more special,” Zidane continued. “The stadium is recognized throughout
the world of sport and would provide a majestic setting befitting the Olympic
and Paralympic Games. To see it lit by the Olympic Flame would be deeply meaningful
to me and every athlete who has ever performed there”.
“The 1998 World Cup demonstrated that Paris can do an excellent job in staging
an event that brings together athletes and spectators from every corner of the
world, promoting multiculturalism, international understanding, and a shared love
of sport. I know that Paris will organize a magnificent event for the Olympic
family in 2012. L’Amour des Jeux of the French nation will make this a spectacular
celebration for the whole world.”
Zidane, affectionately known as Zizou, is widely regarded as the greatest player
of the modern era, having won every honour in domestic and international football.
In 1998, he scored two first-half goals and led France to 3-0 victory over Brazil,
securing the first World Cup title for his country. He again led his team to the
European Championship title in 2000.
As a leading player with the legendary Real Madrid, he won the European Champions
League in 2002.
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