French President Jacques Chirac made an impassioned appeal to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday to trust his country and people in hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.
”I shall vouch for this, you can put your trust in France, you can trust the French, you can trust us,” Chirac said in a speech as part of Paris’s closing presentation to the IOC delegates just hours ahead of the evening vote.
”The heart of Paris and the heart of France are beating in unison in the hope of becoming Olympic ground in 2012,” Chirac said, adding he was making the appeal with ”emotion and passion”.
Chirac also promised the full devotion of everyone in France, should Paris win the Games.
”Paris’s bid is that of France: a united, enthusiastic France who is rallying nationwide to host the Games,” he said. ”All Parisians are ready, all French people are ready. They are eagerly awaiting your choice, your sovereign decision.”
Chirac said that, almost a century after holding its first Games, France is ”longing to welcome athletes from all over the world, together with the entire Olympic family”.
Paris’s video presentation showcased the city’s attractions, such as its rich cultural heritage, tree-lined boulevards, outdoor cafés, opera houses and theatres.
Made by popular French filmmaker Luc Besson, the video showed French officials assuring they would build the necessary infrastructure for the Games such as the Olympic Village, international media centre, sailing venues and an aquatic centre.
They also pledged to offer affordable ticket prices as well as easy and cheap public transportation to the venues.
Officials pledged the construction of infrastructure would incorporate ecological principles to protect the environment.
Officials also addressed the issue of security.
France has budgeted more than €4,2-billion for the hosting of the Games.
Paris is competing against London, Moscow, Madrid and New York for the right to host the Games. Each of the other four cities will make its closing presentation before the IOC delegates vote from about 7.30pm local time.
Paris and London are regarded as the two front-runners. — Sapa-AFP