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Olympic flag arrives in Paris ahead of 2024 Games

Posted August 09, 2021 7:00 am

The Associated Press

PARIS (AP) - Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo brandished the Olympic flag on Monday in Paris upon her return from Tokyo, as the French capital will organize the Games in 2024.

After leaving the plane at Charles de Gaulle airport, surrounded by many of France's Olympic medalists, Hidalgo spoke of her 'œgreat emotion.'ť

She formally received the flag Sunday during the Tokyo closing ceremony from International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.

The flag 'œis the symbol that now, really, the Paris Games are coming and it will go very fast,'ť Hidalgo told reporters, saying they will be 'œvery positive for our country.'ť

She said the Tokyo Games were 'œorganized in very difficult conditions'ť because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

French organizers will stay in touch with Japanese counterparts to prepare for the Paris Games, including on security issues, Hidalgo added.

The Olympic flag will be raised at Paris City Hall later Monday. A celebration event will then take place at the Trocadero square, near the Eiffel Tower, so that the public can welcome French medalists home.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, right, holds the Olympic flag next International Olympic Committee's President Thomas Bach, center, and Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, left, during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) The Associated Press

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