French Embassy - Olympic celebration
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com
Email: ashen@newsofbahrain.com
On October 16, 2024, the French Embassy to the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted a special event to celebrate Bahrain's remarkable achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Games with Bahrain's sports leaders including H.H. Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Vice-President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, H.E. Shaikh Mohamed bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee.
The event, hosted by H.E. Éric Giraud-Telme, Ambassador of France to Bahrain, underlined the strong friendship that unites France and Bahrain, most notably in the field of sport and welcomed new French citizens to Bahrain against the backdrop of the « Make it Iconic » campaign, a symbol of the audacity and excellence shared by the two nations.
The event brought together key institutional representatives from the sports sector, including H.H. Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Vice-President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee ; H.E. Shaikh Mohamed bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee; among others, as well as some brilliant athletes. Their presence reflected the Kingdom’s dedication to sporting excellence and its flourishing relationship with France.
In his speech, H.E. Éric Giraud-Telme lauded Bahrain’s outstanding and unprecedented performance at the Paris 2024 Games, where the nation ranked first among Arab countries and achieved its best-ever medal haul, securing two golds, a silver, and a bronze in four different sports. « Bahrain has once again demonstrated its leadership on the global sports stage » the Ambassador stated, commending the country's visionary leadership notably in sport, including H.H. Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and Honorary President of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation and H.H. Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports First Deputy Chairman, Chairman of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. H.E. Éric Giraud-Telme recalled the outstanding sporting achievements of H.H. Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who triumphantly defended his Equestrian Endurance World Championship title in France in September 2024.
H.E. Éric Giraud-Telme also extended his congratulations to all the athletes attending, whose sporting achievements are a source of collective pride and an illustration of Bahrain's ongoing commitment to sport.
The Ambassador also emphasized Bahrain’s growing status as an international sporting hub, thanks to its world-class sports infrastructure and ambitious development projects. He looked forward to the next ISF Gymnasiade 2024, to be held in Bahrain two years after the last edition was hosted in France, as a further opportunity to deepen the sporting ties between France and Bahrain. Throughout the evening, a short film featuring Bahrain's inspiring achievements at the Paris 2024 Games was played, capturing the shared pride of the two nations
He also reiterated France’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in sports. Ambassador Giraud-Telme expressed enthusiasm for expanding joint initiatives, including the exchange of expertise and the training of top athletes.
In the presence of representatives of Bahrain’s business community, The Ambassador took the opportunity to introduce the « Make it Iconic » campaign, which captures the spirit of creativity, innovation, and boldness that France embodies. « The Paris 2024 Games, a unique celebration at the heart of France’s cultural landmarks, epitomized this audacious spirit » said Ambassador Giraud-Telme. « ‘Make it Iconic’ symbolizes what France and Bahrain do best : initiate, innovate, implement. In a few words, audacity and excellence, values that unite France and Bahrain and that resonate significantly in Bahrain, a pioneering nation in so many fields ».
Additionally, the event provided a warm welcome to new French citizens who had recently settled in Bahrain, along with longer-established French residents. In the presence of representatives from the business and teaching communities, Ambassador Giraud-Telme emphasized the vibrant environment Bahrain offers to French expatriates to thrive in.
With the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a common backdrop, this event served as a reminder of the strong & long-standing friendship that unites our two countries.
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