The French Embassy in Italy, CONI and the Ministry of Sport and Youth joined forces this morning in Rome to take part in the relay race around the World, 500 days before the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, at the sports facility in Colle Oppio park made available by Roma Capitale and Sport e Salute. Several hundred Italian and French students participated together in numerous team sport activities.

Massimiliano Atelli, Head of Cabinet of the Minister for Sport and Youth, French Ambassador to Italy, Christian Masset and Carlo Mornati, CONI Secretary General were present at this great moment, together with top-level Italian athletes who spoke to the students about the values of sport, such as Filippo Tortu and Lorenzo Patta, Olympic champions of the 4x100 relay at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

In addition to demonstrating Italian-French goodwill and cooperation, undertaken by young people in accordance with the guidelines of the bilateral treaty of the Quirinale signed in 2021, the event on 14 March was an opportunity to emphasise the importance of sport for young people and the practice of sport in the heart of the city.

The Organising Committee of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs are coordinating the organisation of the second edition of the Relay around the World. In 2022, 44 countries and overseas communities participated in this event (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfuR6Ypw9zA). In 2023, 128 French embassies and consuls around the world will participate. The event is part of the drive to celebrate the Games outside France, under the slogan “Far from France, Close to the Games.”

(Photo: Mezzelani/GMT)