Olympics take centrestage at French National Day reception

With the Olympics as the theme, the French Embassy celebrated the country’s National Day in the capital recently. An arrangement of miniatures of the Eiffel Tower with the Olympic logo and mascots Olympic Phryge and Paralympic Phryge made for the preferred selfie point for guests. Sports took centre stage at the event as Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, PT Usha, President, Indian Olympic Association and Paralympian Deepa Malik attended the celebrations ahead of the Olympics.


'The Olympics symbolise the spirit of international cooperation'
Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France, said, "In less than 14 days, France will welcome the world...For the first time in the history of the Olympic Summer Games, this ceremony will not take place within a stadium, but out in the city itself, along the main artery of Paris: the Seine River, a symbol of our eagerness to reach out to all...It will be indeed a unique way to promote understanding across cultures as envisioned by French educator and historian Pierre de Coubertin, known as the father of the modern Olympic Games."





"As we look forward to the Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games, I would like to commend France for its strong commitment in supporting sports for this prestigious event. The Olympics symbolise the spirit of international cooperation and the pursuit of excellence, values that India and France deeply cherish. We will look forward to the grandeur of the Paris Olympics and the opportunity to celebrate cultural exchange and global camaraderie. I am happy that India will be participating with a strong contingent at the Games this year," said Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Labour and Employment & Youth Affairs and Sports, in his address.