The terrorist threat to the opening ceremony: “there are plans B and C”
“We want to show the most beautiful face of France and we want the ceremony to be as successful as possible. This is a first in the world. We can do it and we will do it. We gave ourselves the means to do it. Yes, it's worth it. Our country is hit by terrorism and what the terrorists want is to prevent us from dreaming. We organize, we resist. There is no naivety, none at all, and we will give ourselves the means to hold a grand opening ceremony, but also a closing and opening-closing ceremony for the Paralympic Games. The security perimeter will be very wide, we will restrict traffic, a week before, everything will be sealed off. A ticketing system will be put in place for the high platforms and the low platforms. The police will be mobilized to an exceptional degree. We have fallback scenarios, there are plans B and plans C. To tell you the truth, we (studied) a ceremony which would be limited to the Trocadéro but also the possibility of repatriating to the Stade de France. »
The geopolitical conflicts that invite themselves to the Olympics: “Respect and tolerance”
“To leave a mark beyond the Olympics, you need respect and tolerance. Having adversaries who are not enemies. It was often outside forces that brought violence into the event, not the athletes. When the guns fall silent, you must renegotiate. We will do everything to have an Olympic truce. We will work towards this. This is one of the strengths and we need this. (on the Russian athletes present in Paris under a neutral banner) The rule is defined by the Olympic world and the federations, after which there is a vote. Russia has decided on war... We condemn the country but the athletes have nothing to do with it. We ask them for decency, respect for the adversary and not to play politics. Israel was the victim of a terrorist attack, it is the opposite (of Russia). Through its bombings, in its response to Hamas, the country is killing civilians. We therefore ask for a truce. But the Israeli flag will be there, and so will the athletes. »
The place of sport in France: “France as a sporting nation”
“We are a nation where sport is not at the heart of the nation’s project. We launched this project in 2017. Sport, through its values of respect and tolerance, has educational and health virtues. Sport also builds self-confidence. We have implemented the compulsory half-hour in primary schools, it depends on the classes. It's the minimum, I grant you. I want sport to have a place at school. Sport for all, France a sporting nation, is not a gadget. We are going to make it irreversible at school, middle school and high school. »
The medal objective for France: “to make a top 5”
“80 medals? The goal is simple, top 5 for the Olympics and top 8 for the Paralympics. Around 40 to 50 medals.”
The presence of Aya Nakamura: “there were racist reactions”
“We will see what is decided (by the organization), but she will be one of the artists. The reactions were shocking... There were racist reactions. Many people did not understand that there would be hundreds of artists mobilized. There will be many French, international, lyrical artists... It's a complete show. I hope Aya Nakamura makes the list. It won’t be the only one.”
If he will carry the flame and the presence of Zidane in Marseille: “I am not included in the program”
“I think it’s not my place and my role. I will leave that to the French men and women who will do it. I will be in Marseille on May 8 to welcome the flame. (on Zidane's presence) It's not me who decides that. We'll see if anyone invites me to wear it, but I'm not on the program (smile). »
Accessibility of the Paris metro to the disabled: “we are not there”
“We are not completely up to par and on target. We have a strength and a weakness. We have one of the metros which has one of the densest networks in the world. The weakness is that it is one of the oldest. Accessibility rules are not always there. There are lots of reasons. We evaluated everything. The amount was not sustainable. During the Olympics, taxis were set up for people with reduced mobility (PRM). I grant you, we will not have completely transformed the metro (for the Games). »
If he will always bathe in the Seine: “I have not changed my mind”
" I have not changed my mind. We will be there before July 26. There is work being done, launched since 2016. When we talk about legacy, the Seine and the Marne will be one of the biggest legacies of these Olympics. More than a billion euros have been spent. It's not just for taking a dip... We will have water sports centers in these places, I'm very keen on this for young people. 60% of children in Seine-Saint-Denis do not know how to swim. »
The legacy of the Olympics: “we have no white elephants”
“Our Olympics do not have structures that will not be used afterwards. We don't have white elephants. »