Following media reports over the last few days concerning the construction of the Aquatic Centre for Paris’ Bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I would like to clarify the following:

 

1. Paris 2012 has consistently stated in all official materials for the IOC (including the Reply to Questionnaire for the Candidature Procedure and the main Candidature File) that the Aquatic Centre would be constructed between 2009 and 2011 and would be completed in time for the test events one year before the commencement of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

At no time have Paris 2012 stated that the venue would be complete before 2011.

 

2. In Autumn 2004, FFN, The National Swimming Federation of France, explored the possibility of bidding for the 2009 FINA World Championships. They subsequently decided NOT to become an official candidate for the 13th FINA World Championships and accordingly informed FINA.

This was therefore a decision not to Bid, rather than a withdrawal from the Bid, as mistakenly reported in some media.

 

France has a long and successful history of bidding for and delivering world class major sporting events - headed by the 1998 FIFA World Cup.