CNOSF President David Lappartient says Paris 2024 has boosted enthusiasm for sport in France, and has set the stage for the 2030 Winter Olympics.
CASCAIS, Portugal, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- What Olympic legacy has Paris 2024 left on France? For French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) President David Lappartient, it's not only about the upgrades in sports facilities or the country's image and cultural showcase on the global stage, nor even about the French team's top-five finish in the medal rankings. More profoundly, he sees the legacy as an unprecedented surge in sports enthusiasm across the country.
"France already had a rich sports culture, but hosting the Paris Olympics brought this enthusiasm to a new height," Lappartient said in an interview with Xinhua. "In a post-Olympics survey, 82 percent of French people expressed a positive attitude towards hosting the Games. More tangibly, our sports clubs and associations have seen a 20 percent increase in registrations across various disciplines."
This week, Lappartient is in Cascais, Portugal, attending the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly, where the French Olympic Committee was awarded "Best National Olympic Committee" at the ANOC Awards ceremony.
"Receiving this award is a recognition of the French Olympic Committee's efforts in promoting sports and supporting the Paris Olympics. This honor belongs to everyone who supports French sports," said Lappartient, 51, who is also among the seven candidates running for the IOC presidency next year.
Reflecting on the Paris Olympics, he described it as an entirely new Olympic model - the iconic venues, the open, inclusive event philosophy, and the vibrant atmosphere in every corner of the city made the summer of 2024 an unforgettable moment in Olympic history.
With the successful completion of the Paris Olympics, France is now gearing up for the 2030 Winter Olympics, which will be hosted in the French Alps, marking the country's fourth Winter Games.
The modern Olympic movement of winter sports began in France with the inaugural Winter Olympic Games in Chamonix in 1924, and France later hosted the Games in Grenoble (1968) and Albertville (1992). The huge success of Paris 2024 has given Lappartient optimism that the 2030 Games could push France's winter sports to new heights.
"France has some of the world's finest mountain ranges and premier ski resorts. If we want to host a successful Games in 2030, we must not only organize the event at the highest standard but also aim for medals," Lappartient said. "We want to carry the momentum from the Summer Games to the Winter Games. Our team is strong in some disciplines, but we have weaknesses in others. We aim to address those gaps to ensure we're competitive across all events and secure our place in the final medal rankings."
Lappartient emphasized the importance of winning Olympic medals for promoting a sport. For him, the emotional impact of winning can inspire widespread public support for both athletes and their sports.
In addition to his role as President of the French Olympic Committee, Lappartient is also President of the International Cycling Union. He also chairs the IOC's Esports Committee, guiding the Olympic movement's growing engagement with Esports. The first Esports Olympic Games will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
"We must acknowledge the presence of younger generations, they are gamers, and if we want to connect with them, we must go where they are," Lappartient said. "Our goal is not to replace traditional sports but to expand into a new arena and establish Esports' own DNA. Esports could become a unique competitive field for each country, and we hope to retain its existing spirit while integrating it into the Olympic movement."
Lappartient mentioned he has attended Esports events on sites and was struck by the energy of the fans: "The emotional connection between competitors and fans in Esports is no different from other sports. And I was surprised by the passion - some events sold out within minutes, showing the intensity of interest in this field."
Regarding the progress of Esports' Olympic inclusion, Lappartient noted that a joint committee of three members from the IOC and three from the Saudi Olympic Committee was formed last week. They will work to finalize details such as event selection and scheduling, with plans to announce further details in early 2025. ■