The Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for promoting the European way of life, Margarítis Schinás, visited Paris on Thursday 25 July, on the eve of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He launched the ‘Team EUROPE 2024’ European medal counter, an initiative of the European Commission Representation in France to mark the achievements of European Union athletes, at an event at Europa Experience Paris in the presence of the French Minister for Sport, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra. “It’s not about numbers; it’s about the values that unite Team Europe. Tomorrow sees the start of the most European Olympic Games in history”, he stated on the X network.
Mr Schinás also took part in the international Sport for Sustainable Development Summit, chaired by the French Head of State, Emmanuel Macron, and the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, bringing together over 500 participants to discuss sustainability in sport.
The visit also saw the signing of a cooperation agreement between the European Commission and the European Olympic Committees, aimed at promoting Olympic and European values such as tolerance, equality, respect and solidarity.
His presence at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Games on Friday 26 July will help to promote EU policies and activities related to sport and youth, such as the European Week of Sport with the #BeActive campaign, the European Sport Forum, the #BeInclusive EU Sport Awards and Erasmus+ projects. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)