By Philippe Roudeillat
Published on
For several years now, Saint-Germain-en-Laye has embarked on a long-distance race to find a place in the organization of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Labeled “Terre de jeux 2024” in November 2019, it was selected a year later by the organizing committee of the sporting event to host delegations.
Today, the City is about to cross the finish line. Indeed, it could be the host of the British Olympic team.
One of the most prestigious teams
Team Great Britain – or Team GB – is one of the most prestigious teams in the Summer Olympics.
After the vote to sign a commitment in principle (Heads of Terms) at the last city council, the City was able to begin “contract negotiations necessary for the reception of athletes”.
Negotiations on the potential visit of the British team to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, before and during the Games, will take place in the first half of 2022.
“They will aim to best meet the needs of high-level athletes and to maximize the positive impact for the territory as much as possible. With a view to a favorable outcome for both parties, the City will communicate the action plan put in place as soon as the potential commitment is signed. »
Things didn’t just happen. As the mayor of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Arnaud Péricard, recalled, they would be the result of a long lobbying process.
“We are in a very competitive field”
“This agreement in principle is very important because by formalizing it, we freeze things a little bit. We are in a very competitive field. Many municipalities in France or in Île-de-France want to host delegations and this is one of the most prestigious for the Olympic Games. I really wanted to thank all the elected officials who were involved because we had to do a little bit of lobbying. We had to take our English friends to lunch, show them that we know how to entertain in France. It was really great teamwork. »
According to the mayor, the town would be likely to host the training of athletes for most of the disciplines in which the British Olympic team will be registered.
Almost all disciplines
Thus, the latter would like Saint-Germain-en-Laye to be its preparation center for the Olympic Games in the following sports: archery, synchronized swimming, athletics, fencing, football, golf, field hockey, judo, pentathlon modern, rugby 7s, skateboarding, rock climbing, table tennis and weightlifting. The list would be subject to change.
“The city of Reims should also recover some activities, but we should have at least three quarters of them, not only on the site of the Georges Lefèvre stadium, but also in our gymnasiums. »
If Saint-Germain-en-Laye is fighting, like many other municipalities, to bring in foreign delegations, it is because it sees several interests in it.
In addition to the desire to allow the population to benefit “closer” to the Games, the idea would also aim to “promote a major territorial heritage”.
“Territorial attractiveness and benefits”
“The search for foreign delegations for the Olympic Games is motivated by the territorial attractiveness that they will bring, but also by the spin-offs that they entail. Shops, schools, users, all will be invited to share this festive moment and take advantage of the contribution of the Olympic Games to the Ile-de-France region. At the same time, a policy of heritage, international exchanges, equipment repairs and sustainable development will accompany the arrival of delegations so that Saint-Germain-en-Laye benefits from the Olympics effect in the long term. »
The municipality would be just as involved in the Paralympic Games and would carry out the same work with foreign delegations.
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