Alain Juppé, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and David Douillet, Minister of Sports, were present yesterday in Nice to sign the constitutive Convention of the GIP (Public Interest Group), which is crucial for the organization of the upcoming Jeux de la Francophonie that will take place in the azure city in September 2013.
An important step was achieved yesterday at the Villa Masséna for the organization of the 7th edition of the Jeux de la Francophonie, which will take place in Nice from September 6 to 15, 2013.
The Deputy-Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, accompanied notably by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alain Juppé, and the Minister of Sports, David Douillet, signed the constitutive Convention of the Public Interest Group, essential for organizing this event. “An act marking the official commitment of the city of Nice,” boasted the mayor of Nice. “It is an important event for the azure capital, but these Jeux de la Francophonie are not just for Nice, they are for France.”
Games that the Minister of Sports, David Douillet, knows well. The former judoka, double Olympic champion, himself participated in the Jeux de la Francophonie in 1994. The four-time world and European champion won the gold medal. “I reaffirm all my support to Christian Estrosi for organizing such an event where the atmosphere is incredible. It is also an opportunity to strengthen France’s ties with Francophone countries. It is a very big event!” highlighted the former champion.
A budget of 10 million euros
Eric Ciotti, President of the General Council of the Alpes-Maritimes, Patrick Allemand, 1st Vice-President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, and the vice-president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee were also present to sign this convention along with Alain Juppé, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
The mayor of Bordeaux also paid tribute to Abdou Diouf, former president of the Republic of Senegal and currently the Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie, “the true face of democracy in Africa.” Held every four years, the Jeux de la Francophonie will see 3,000 competitors — athletes and artists — compete in 16 sports and cultural events.
An event with a budget of nearly 10 million euros “including a state contribution of 4 million euros, 2.2 million from the Ministry of Sports and 750,000 euros from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” specified the UMP mayor.
Second time the competition is held in France
This event is not only a sporting competition but also a cultural one, organized through the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). Therefore, only states and governments sharing the French language are concerned.
Organized every four years since 1997, this will be the second time that the competition is held in France after Bondoufle in 1994. The azure city was competing with Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) and N’Djamena (Chad). What tipped the balance?
First of all, Nice has an international dimension. Therefore, it has the potential to increase the notoriety of a competition like the Jeux de la Francophonie in the coming years. It has the infrastructure to organize this competition in the best conditions and best welcome the participants. The transport system is optimal for spectators and tourists. The financial aspect is clearly not a problem compared to the two other selected cities. It is also one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean.
Nice, a city of sports and culture
With its tennis open, international marathon of the Alpes Maritimes, Ironman, Paris-Nice cycling race, and many others, Nice is clearly a city of sports. Even more so with the construction of the Grand Stade, the “Olympic Nice Stadium,” one of the greenest in France.
But the Jeux de la Francophonie are not just about sports. It is also about art and culture. The azure capital equally brings these values together, notably through its famous Carnival (one of the most popular in the world), its “Night at the Museums,” March at the Museum, the MANCA Festival, the Nice Jazz Festival, and many others.
It is a city extremely rich in culture. But there are also many other reasons to emphasize for the success of the Jeux de la Francophonie, such as allowing the coming together of all countries with the French language in common. Furthermore, such a competition can allow the emergence of young talents at the international level.
It is a springboard for the Olympic Games and other major sports events in addition to contributing to the promotion of the French language.
