The approximately 40,000 inhabitants of Saint-Germain-en-Laye may not go so far as to drive on the left and have tea, but they will live a summer on English time.
Before, and of course during the Olympic Games, their city will be the base camp of Team GB, the imposing (nearly 400 people) and formidable delegation from across the Channel.
A “partnership” more than a simple “contract” in the words of Lewis Coggins, the director of the preparation camp of the Olympic Association of Great Britain, proof that relations between the two are excellent.
“I don’t need to tell you how beautiful your city is”, even charmed Mark England, the head of mission for Team GB ten days ago during the first formal contact between the inhabitants, those responsible of the British Olympic team and representatives of the municipality.
A meeting during which everyone was able to explain the benefits of this cordial understanding.
And, listening to those responsible, the passage of British athletes in Yvelines should leave both a cultural and economic legacy.
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