The British flag now flies from the pediment of the town hall of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a sign of the brand new union between the city of Yvelines and the Olympic team of Great Britain.
Both signed a partnership agreement on Thursday for the next Paris 2024 games. Saint-Germain will thus be the base camp of the British delegation for the duration of the competition, but also of the preparation.
With more than two years to go, many details, mainly relating to the various sports calendars, remain to be settled.
But the outline of the agreement is known.
The athletes of Team GB will thus be able to use all the municipal facilities, starting with those of the Georges-Lefèvre stadium at the Camp des Loges.
The 12 ha complex, which the British representatives visited again on Thursday, will be the real headquarters.
A brand new athletics track
It has two field hockey pitches, five football pitches, one rugby pitch, tennis courts but also, soon, a performance and weight training center and a brand new approved athletics track.
The choice of coating was also made in agreement with Team GB.
Part of PSG's professional facilities could also be made available to them.
Discussions are under way with the club.
The British team will finally be able to use the various gymnasiums of the town for its indoor disciplines, but also the swimming pool (Le Dôme) for synchronized swimming and… leisure.
As such, the city's three golf courses were also involved.
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According to the heads of the delegation of Great Britain, choosing Saint-Germain as a base camp would have been "easy".
According to Sir Hugh Robinson, Chairman of the British Olympic Committee, “Team GB needs an excellent preparation camp to achieve its lofty sporting goals”
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“We felt in an international city”, assures the president of the British Olympic committee
The man who had been the great architect of the London Games in 2012 adds that "Saint-Germain-en-Laye offered us high quality facilities and we felt we were in a truly international city where our intense sports stays will be very pleasant to live and share”
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Arnaud Péricard, the mayor (Horizons) of the city, says for his part “very happy to be part of this dynamic of Paris 2024” and is pleased to welcome “one of the best Olympic delegations”.
"They can enjoy life here without the hustle and bustle of Paris while being fifteen minutes away by RER", adds the elected official who also underlines "the spirit of openness" of the British sports authorities "who do not want to live in a compartmentalized way ".
In total, several hundred athletes, coaches and staff members are expected over the next two years.
They will stay there for the duration of their various preparation courses, with a ramp-up throughout the first half of 2024, then during part of the Games.
The first members of Team GB could start training at Saint-Germain this summer.
