Paris 2024 takes to the waves at the ISA World Surfing Games, held in Biarritz

Biarritz, France – 20 May 2017

France continues to host major sporting events with ISA World Surfing Games this week.

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee today hailed the Opening Ceremony of the ISA World Surfing Games, held on the Grande Plage of Biarritz from 21 to 28 May, as the international championships return to France for the first time since 1992.

Biarritz, a hotspot of surfing in Europe, will be the first host of the World Surfing Games since it was added to the Olympic programme for the Tokyo Games in 2020. The coastal city becomes the latest French host of an Olympic sport's major championships in recent years, following EuroBasket 2015, UEFA Euro 2016, the IHF 2017 World Handball Championship and the IIHF 2017 Ice Hockey World Championship, all of which have taken place since the Paris 2024 candidature was launched.

The World Surfing Games are expected to welcome more than 240 athletes from over 40 countries to the Grande Plage in Biarritz, and serves to reinforce France's strong ability to host the globe's elite sports events, and its willingness to welcome the world to its shores.

For the championships, Team France are fielding a strong team. 2009 World Surfing Games gold medallist Jeremy Flores will lead the six-strong team alongside France’s top ranked professional female surfer Johanne Defay.

Bernard Lapasset, co-Chair of the Paris 2024 Bid Committee, said:

"With the organisation of the Word Surfing Games in Biarritz, France once again demonstrates its passion for all sports. Our country is once more hosting an international surfing competition, something we have not done since 1992, and one that comes at a great time for the sport of Surfing following its inclusion on the Olympic Programme for Tokyo 2020.

"This is a great opportunity to show how our country welcomes the world and hosts all Olympic sports in a festive and electric atmosphere, demonstrating once again our expertise in organising major international sporting events."

Jean-Luc Arrassus, President of the French Surfing Federation, added:

"It is a special moment for me to see the ISA World Surfing Games in Biarritz for the first time in more than 20 years. France is a proud surfing nation, and there is a lot of local and national excitement ahead of this tournament.

"We head into this event with Surfing now on the Olympic programme for Tokyo 2020, something that I am very proud to say. As Paris continues its bid for the 2024 Olympic Games, we hope that this event can set a precedent for Surfing in France and show the world the unique appetite this nation has for the sport."

-ENDS-

Images

Please find attached one low-res image of French Surfing Federation President Jean-Luc Arrassus holding a Paris 2024 branded surfboard.

For further information:

Raphaël Leclerc

Paris 2024 Bid Committee

Email: rleclerc@paris2024.org

Phone: +336 73 16 88 06

Sujit Jasani

VERO Communications

Email: sjasani@verocom.co.uk

Phone: +44 (0)207 812 6589 / +44 (0)7940 375 282

Engage with the Paris 2024 bid here:

Website: www.paris2024.org

Twitter: @Paris2024

Facebook: https://fr-fr.facebook.com/Paris2024/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paris2024/

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These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

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Biarritz, France – 20 May 2017

Paris 2024 takes to the waves at the ISA World Surfing Games, held in Biarritz

France continues to host major sporting events with ISA World Surfing Games this week.

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee today hailed the Opening Ceremony of the ISA World Surfing Games, held on the Grande Plage of Biarritz from 21 to 28 May, as the international championships return to France for the first time since 1992.Biarritz, a hotspot of surfing in Europe, will be the first host of the World Surfing Games since it was added to the Olympic programme for the Tokyo Games in 2020. The coastal city becomes the latest French host of an Olympic sport's major championships in recent years, following EuroBasket 2015, UEFA Euro 2016, the IHF 2017 World Handball Championship and the IIHF 2017 Ice Hockey World Championship, all of which have taken place since the Paris 2024 candidature was launched.The World Surfing Games are expected to welcome more than 240 athletes from over 40 countries to the Grande Plage in Biarritz, and serves to reinforce France's strong ability to host the globe's elite sports events, and its willingness to welcome the world to its shores.For the championships, Team France are fielding a strong team. 2009 World Surfing Games gold medallist Jeremy Flores will lead the six-strong team alongside France’s top ranked professional female surfer Johanne Defay.Bernard Lapasset, co-Chair of the Paris 2024 Bid Committee, said:"With the organisation of the Word Surfing Games in Biarritz, France once again demonstrates its passion for all sports. Our country is once more hosting an international surfing competition, something we have not done since 1992, and one that comes at a great time for the sport of Surfing following its inclusion on the Olympic Programme for Tokyo 2020."This is a great opportunity to show how our country welcomes the world and hosts all Olympic sports in a festive and electric atmosphere, demonstrating once again our expertise in organising major international sporting events."Jean-Luc Arrassus, President of the French Surfing Federation, added:"It is a special moment for me to see the ISA World Surfing Games in Biarritz for the first time in more than 20 years. France is a proud surfing nation, and there is a lot of local and national excitement ahead of this tournament."We head into this event with Surfing now on the Olympic programme for Tokyo 2020, something that I am very proud to say. As Paris continues its bid for the 2024 Olympic Games, we hope that this event can set a precedent for Surfing in France and show the world the unique appetite this nation has for the sport."-ENDS-ImagesPlease find attached one low-res image of French Surfing Federation President Jean-Luc Arrassus holding a Paris 2024 branded surfboard.For further information:Raphaël LeclercParis 2024 Bid CommitteeEmail: rleclerc@paris2024.orgPhone: +336 73 16 88 06Sujit JasaniVERO CommunicationsEmail: sjasani@verocom.co.ukPhone: +44 (0)207 812 6589 / +44 (0)7940 375 282Engage with the Paris 2024 bid here:Website: www.paris2024.orgTwitter: @Paris2024Facebook: https://fr-fr.facebook.com/Paris2024/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paris2024/