“An achievement for all Arabs”: PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi attends the Olympic torch relay in Paris ahead of the opening ceremony
PARIS: Nasser Al-Khelaifi, President of Paris Saint-Germain, attended the Olympic torch relay on Monday afternoon ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, which takes place this Friday.
The torch relay will pass through more than 400 cities across France and its overseas territories and will be supported by numerous illustrious personalities from the world of sport, entertainment and culture, including the Prince and Princess of Monaco, Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc and Hollywood actress Halle Berry.
In recognition of Al-Khelaifi's contribution to French sport and the upcoming competition, the International Olympic Committee offered the PSG president the opportunity to receive the Olympic torch in Vigneux-sur-Seine, in a southern suburb of the French capital, where he carried it for nearly 500 meters before handing it over to 84-year-old Marie-Rolande Biro, the former head of the Epinay judo club.
Al-Khelaifi, a former ATP tennis player from Qatar who is now also chairman of beIN Media Group and Qatar Sports Investments, was greeted on the street by throngs of fans chanting his name and cheering. After posing for photos and speaking to his fans, he spoke about how sport has influenced his life and work ethic and helped him connect with people from all walks of life.
“It was a tremendous honour to carry the Paris 2024 Olympic torch and flame, which are such powerful symbols of unity, friendship and peace,” he said. “It is an indescribable feeling to carry it as a Qatari, Arab and Muslim in the French capital of Paris. It is an achievement for all Arabs, not just the State of Qatar, and I thank God for this honour. When I was an athlete and played tennis, I always had this dream. Today, this dream has come true.”
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, President of Paris Saint-Germain, attends the Olympic torch relay on Monday afternoon. (Supplied)
Al-Khelaifi carried the torch along Avenue Henri Barbusse, some 27km south of the Parc des Princes, home of PSG. The club's prestigious stadium will host 10 football matches during the Games, including the first event of Paris 2024 this Wednesday, a men's match between Uzbekistan and Spain, as well as the men's and women's football finals on August 9 and 10 respectively.
“Paris Saint-Germain is so proud that 26 of our male and female athletes – from men's and women's football, handball and judo – are participating in the Games and we look forward to a great sporting spectacle in our home city of Paris,” Al-Khelaifi added. “This is an honour for Paris Saint-Germain, for me personally, for all club members and for the State of Qatar.”
Qatar is sending a delegation of 14 athletes to Paris 2024. They include Mutaz Barshim, considered one of the best high jumpers of all time after winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and silver at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, and weightlifter Fares Ibrahim Hassouna, who also won gold in Tokyo.
PSG has had representatives participating in Olympic sports for 40 years now. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the French club celebrated 15 Olympic and four Paralympic medalists. This year, in addition to the 26 athletes, more than 70 staff members are helping in various roles in event management, operations and technical support.
The 2024 Olympic Games will begin on July 26. Before that, preliminary competitions in sevens football and rugby will take place on July 24. The event, which takes place every four years, will conclude with the closing ceremony on August 11.
