Paris, 29 June 2004 – A delegation from Paris 2012 has just left Lisbon having staged the first of two visits to witness first hand the experiences of the Euro 2004 organisers and thus help in the preparation of the Paris 2012 Candidature File to be submitted to the IOC on November 15th 2004.

Olivier Lenglet, Head of International Sporting Relations for Paris 2012, headed the first delegation. Just before leaving Lisbon, Lenglet said: ‘We have used this trip to inspect the accommodation capacities, study the Euro 2004 urban planning and its impact on the environment of the host Portuguese cities, visit the competition venues and analyse the transport networks. Not only does the Tournament appear to be a great success, but we have observed several aspects that will help us in the preparation of our Candidature File’.

This visit will be followed by an official visit to Portugal by Paris 2012 Technical and Security experts who will meet with Euro 2004 officials shortly after the Tournament to review the post-event analysis.

Philippe Baudillon, Chief Executive Officer of Paris 2012, said: ‘Major international events attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors in a few days, are incredibly valuable, live case studies for Paris 2012. We have gained from our own experience in hosting events but we are hungry to improve our Bid by looking at, and learning from, all major events. We congratulate the Euro 2004 organisers for what could well be one of the greatest European Football Championships ever staged’.

These visits are a key part of the Paris 2012 strategy – to learn from its own and other nations’ experiences in hosting international events. Paris has hosted five World Championships in Olympic Sports in recent years, including the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in 2003.

For further information, please contact:

Paris 2012 Global Media Office
International free phone: +800 2012 2012
Within France, dial 00.800.2012.2012
media@parisjo2012.fr