Emmanuel Macron: “The Games are coming and entering the lives of the French”
“The flame is on French soil, it is the end of several years of preparation”declares Emmanuel Macron at the microphone of France 2, while the flame has just arrived on French soil. “I remember July 2017 with great emotion, when we won in Lausanne. We were there in September, a few weeks later, and nothing was ready. Today, the flame is arriving, the Games are arriving and entering the lives of the French. »
On the issue of skepticism among part of the population, the president thinks that today’s images will help launch a popular movement: “There are always doubts, there is always a France that doubts, but there is also a France that was impatient. And then, it seemed far away for many of our compatriots. We’re entering the Games. I now believe that it is popular enthusiasm, and that is why I wanted to be among everyone, here. It’s the French people’s day, and I want them to be proud of it. »
On the subject of security, Emmanuel Macron ensures that we “is ready, because we have been preparing for seven years”and claims that 200,000 people were present around the Old Port, Canebière and the surrounding avenues. “These first hours are going well, we will be attentive until the last second”promises the president.
For post-Games, Emmanuel Macron affirms that there will be “a legacy, a sporting nation, with children who will have learned sport at school, taken up this practice with the Marina which remains here, an Olympic nautical center in Saint-Denis, an Olympic village which will leave housing, offices …”
The head of state wants “our compatriots imagine that this is a moment of unity, that we are capable of it and that we can be proud of it. And represent to ourselves that we know how to organize this, that when we come together around the table we do what is most beautiful in the world. And we should be proud of that.”
The president also returned to the potential Olympic truce: “This will be the initiative that we will deploy”he concluded: “Games for peace. »
