Sports
08:15, 14-Sep-2017
Paris, Los Angeles confirmed as Olympic hosts
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Paris and Los Angeles confirmed their status as hosts for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics respectively on Wednesday, with the celebrations providing brief respite for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which is in the middle of severe corruption allegations.
In an expected conclusion to a three-year bidding race, IOC members voted unanimously to seal a deal, put together in July, for Paris to be given 2024 and Los Angeles 2028.
The pre-ordained outcome did not dampen the celebrations inside the Lima Convention Centre as the Paris and Los Angeles delegations cheered and congratulated each other.
IOC President Thomas Bach, a driving force behind the decision to award both Olympics at the same time, hailed the joint award as a "win-win-win."
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach next to Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti announces Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 host cities for Olympics games during the 131st IOC session in Lima, Peru, September 13, 2017. /Reuters Photo
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach next to Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti announces Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 host cities for Olympics games during the 131st IOC session in Lima, Peru, September 13, 2017. /Reuters Photo
"It's a magical, unique victory," said jubilant Paris 2024 bid co-leader Tony Estanguet as French President Emmanuel Macron saluted a "victory for France."
Los Angeles 2028 leaders were similarly ecstatic. "This was the right answer, it was about fraternity, it was about friendship, it was about finding a win-win," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
The vote marked the final act of a campaign that had been stripped of the usual intrigue ever since Paris and Los Angeles agreed to carve up 2024 and 2028 following encouragement from the IOC.
Source(s): AFP