Paris Mayor and Paris 2012 President Bertrand Delanoë, along with other top Paris officials, members of the national government and leaders of the Paris 2012 Bid Committee welcomed the International Olympic Committee’s Evaluation Commission at Charles de Gaulle Airport earlier today. This marked the beginning of the Commission’s four-day visit to assess the city’s bid for the 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Upon arrival at their hotel in central Paris, the Commission, headed by Nawal El Moutawakel, received a welcome letter signed by the female athletes supporting the Paris 2012 bid, in recognition of the International Women’s Day.

The Paris 2012 Bid team has developed a comprehensive programme for the Commission members, which will begin tomorrow with a detailed review of the Paris 2012 plan. Over the next four days, the Commission is expected to tour the proposed Olympic and Paralympic venues, planned according to the concept of “One Village and Two Clusters”. The Commission will visit the location of the proposed Olympic Village, the renowned Stade de France, situated in the Northern Cluster, and the Roland Garros stadium in the Western Cluster. The guests will also visit the Eiffel Tower -- the planned site for the beach volleyball, triathlon, marathon and road time trial cycling competitions.

Paris 2012 Bid executives and Olympic experts will detail every aspect of the Paris 2012 plan in briefings and presentations to the members of the IOC Commission.