Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday hailed
the "epic
" of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic medalists by decorating them and took the opportunity to show his support for the PACA region's candidacy for future Winter Olympics.
"
Today, dear Christian, several communities including the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region are planning to apply to host the Winter Olympics in 2034, obviously I give you all my support
", he said. he launched at the address of the mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi, rallied to macronism, and present at the presentation of the legion of honor of the Olympic and Paralympic medalists at the Élysée.
The territories of the Southern Alps had expressed interest in January in the organization of the Winter Olympics in 2034 or 2038, according to the president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region Renaud Muselier.
The neighboring region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, chaired by Laurent Wauquiez (LR) is also considering applying for the organization of the Winter Olympics, those of 2030.
Despite the almost empty bleachers, the whole country was behind you.
Emmanuel Macron to the athletes
As in September 2021 after the Tokyo Olympics, the President of the Republic, candidate for re-election, reviewed all the exploits of the Blues during the Beijing Games, strongly marked by the pandemic.
He hailed their "
epic
".
"
Despite the almost empty stands, the whole country was behind you
," he said, after a telephone interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Addressing biathlete Quentin Fillon-Maillet, five-time Olympic champion, he said: “
yes, there is life after Martin Fourcade and in saying that, I salute his brilliant entry into the IOC
”.
He also praised the "
pas de deux mastered to the end of the blades
" of the skaters Guillaume Cizeron and Gabrielle Papadakis, in front of an audience of sportsmen and actors of French sport, such as Tony Estanguet, president of the organizing committee of the Olympic Games in Paris.
He reiterated "
the importance
" of a France "
sporting nation
" in view of the Paris Olympics which will be held in a little over two years.
Upon arriving, Olympic ice dancing champion Guillaume Cizeron explained that it was a "
great honor
" to come to the Élysée Palace and Gabriella Papadakis repeated that the dancing couple would "
take the time
" to decide what to do next. .
“
When we get there and we are received by the president and the ministers, we have done the job!
commented paraskier Arthur Bauchet.