Chirac makes impassioned plea to IOC
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-06 11:51

French president Jacques Chirac made an impassioned plea to the International Olympic Committee on Wednesday, hours before the IOC vote on the host city for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Armand de Rendinger, international director of the Paris bid, talks to France's President Jacques Chirac (R) before the Paris presentation to the IOC in Singapore July 6, 2005. [Reuters]

"France is intent on offering the world unforgettable Olympic and Paralympic Games," he said as Paris made their pitch for what many see as the greatest prize in sport.

"The heart of Paris and the heart of France are beating in unison in the hope of becoming Olympic ground in 2012.

"Dear friends ... I shall vouch for this, you can put your trust in France, you can trust the French, you can trust us."

London, Madrid, Moscow and New York are also campaigning for the Games. They will present to the IOC later on Wednesday.

The decision, after a vote by all IOC members at the Raffles City Convention Centre, will be announced by president Jacques Rogge at around 1145 GMT.

Long-term favourites for the 2012 Games, Paris's bid team urged the members to vote for their bid which, they said, was one of frankness, openness, humility and energy.

SLICK MOVIE

IOC members were shown a slick movie created by celebrated film director Luc Besson.

Besson's movie depicted a romantic vision of the French capital, superimposing the multi-coloured Olympic rings on some of the city's world famous landmarks.

Actress Catherine Deneuve and French singer Johnny Halliday featured in scenes designed to showcase the glamour of Paris.

French union leaders also made an appearance, vowing that strikes would not disrupt the Games were Paris to win.

French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin assured the IOC security would be paramount.

"Our objective is to put security at the heart of the ideal," he said. "We are constantly testing our ability to react. We must not rest on our laurels."

Besson's film, which also featured black-and-white footage of the 1924 Games which were the second Paris held, ended with a clip of a pretty little girl smiling at the camera before running off towards the Eiffel tower with a crowd of excited children.

It was met with rapturous applause from the members.

"If you bestow your confidence on us, our utmost energy and compassion will be devoted to creating an excellent Olympics," Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe said.

"Paris needs the games, Paris wants the Games, Paris has a love of the Games."

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