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A slightly closer view of the Eiffel Tower Stadium which is progressing very quickly (and with nature returning to its green color!)

Next week, a new book by two journalists from Munich's Sueddeutsche Zeitung will come out, called "The Olygarch" and you can guess who is the figure that inspired the title's word play. It deals with our favourite IOC President's connections with the ZZZar, and a particular juicy episode made headlines today as an advance segment of the book: Apparently during the 2011 Alpine Skiing World Championships held in Garmisch, and used as a major promotion platform for the Munich 2018 bid, Bach (then still DOSB President and of course IOC VP) disappeared from the scene for a day. There is now an affidavit quoted in the book by Alfons Hörmann (at the time President of the German Skiing Federation and later Bach's successor as DOSB President who also had a very tumltuous and dubious time in office until he resigned in 2021 in the wake of the Rhine-Ruhr 2032 disaster) saying that Bach had told him afterwards that he went on a brief trip to Moscow, flown in and out secretly on a private jet to meet with Vlad. Hörmann also stated that Bach told him the trip went very well and he was now sure to get "it". It being of course the IOC Presidency for which he was already heavily campaigning over two years before the actual vote. In short: Very likely that the guy is only sitting on the throne in Lausanne because he was ready to be Vlad's puppet. And all the actions taken during his Presidency whenever there was a scandal related to Russia surely do not give hope that this is just an evil rumour. Funny though that he seems to have fallen from grace now with Russia openly creating competition for the IOC ("Future Games" etc). I'm sure there's still lots of dirty laundry in the KGB cellars about many IOC members (let's not forget - and that is also part of the book apparently - that Bach's big mentor JAS was once himself Spanish ambassador to Moscow and crowned there as IOC President...). IOC will probably deny all of this as usual and accuse the authors of fake news, but just in case anyone still asks about Bach's reputation at home, here you go (again).

Yup, I like this guy. He seems to be just the right level of crazy. This is looking good... https://www.francetvinfo.fr/les-jeux-olympiques/paris-2024/portrait-je-n-y-connaissais-rien-comment-thomas-jolly-est-devenu-le-metteur-en-scene-de-la-ceremonie-d-ouverture-des-jeux-olympiques-de-paris-2024_6391246.html

Oh dear. German women qualified for the first time since 2008, but that group seems tough. The men always have high ambitions, so they have to live up to it finally.

Delusional from the start to experiment with such an open plan concept in such a high risk setting. Paris 2024 and only have themselves to blame for any disappointment arising from last minute changes as they arrogantly bragged about having no Plan B only months back. Stadium ceremonies are not only secure, but they are theatre in the round. Thats part of the magic and why they work. Just ask every Olympic host since 1980.

The French suits for the opening ceremonies

Three hotels: OFH (i.e. the one for the IOC members) will be at L'Hôtel du Collectionneur whilst OF2 and OF3 (IF, NOCs, other guests) will be the Hyatt and Méridien at Porte Maillot.

They won't have the choice to close the bridges at some point anyway. We must not forget that there are bridges where there will be the public, artistic elements, and also other logistical equipment (since apparently the NBC Today show will be present on one of the bridges during the OOC; we can imagine that one of the bridges will serve as a television studio?). I'm posting an image that I had already published a few pages earlier: In light blue these are the bridges which will remain open for traffic. All other bridges will be closed from July (not all at the same time, some from July 1st, others from July 15th only...). What is certain is that from July 19 (one week before the ceremony), the entire perimeter around the Seine will be fenced off with police checks carried out in each street which leads to this secure zone* . So, yeah, good luck getting around Paris from July 19 (and probably even a little before). And on the day of the opening ceremony, all of the bridges in Paris, including those in blue and those of the metro, will be closed. So it will be literally impossible to cross Paris that day. Besides, regarding the question of how to keep the whole ceremony secret: it's impossible. Even the organizers themselves say so. But it's part of the deal (and the IOC accepted it). Rehearsals in the very heart of Paris will begin in June unless there is a change of plan. And there will inevitably be rehearsals which will be visible to everyone, because that is the very principle of having a ceremony in the heart of the city. Thierry Reboul himself said in an interview that "you'll see a lot of rehearsals anyway, but we're going to try to cover it up by not putting on the right costumes, disguising the sets, etc. so that you're still surprised."

The live stream for the Flame Lighting Ceremony is now set up on YouTube ahead of Tuesday's proceedings:

But who on earth is gonna want to host an Olympics if they can't get a legacy out of what they do spend?! A circular stadium in Brisbane is gonna be used all year, every year. Your starting position is one that basically every other possible host could only dream of. Best of all, you have to build a new one in the early 30s anyway! They've admitted that! Coatesy must be an absolute genius to conclude that "needs a new circular stadium in the early 30s" & "hosting the Olympics in the early 30s" are entirely separate problems that can't be solved together

An interesting, IOC-centric, view of the situation: The dispute over Brisbane's Olympic stadiums could have implications for the future of the Games

Of those that have been posted so far, France is winning by a country mile.

Now that is boring...and blue. Never seen Daley so covered up.....:)

Nothing to dislike, but very safe

Other factors included a poor public relations campaign that failed to overcome the negative outcomes of the COVID-delayed Tokyo 2020 Summer Games held in 2021, and concerns that a Winter Games budget could balloonView the full article

LOL, 2042 it is then

Because they know that those people are actually able to do a proper job mostly and not just want to play the underlings in a feudal system. If they had them in the IOC, the rest of that gang would look the clueless, often grifting, people that many of them (well-proven) are.

What Prince Christian? The first Greek king was Otto of Bavaria, brother to the Bavarian king at the time from the Wittelsbacher family (and uncle to famous Ludwig II of Neuschwanstein fame). He was deposed and replaced by a Danish prince indeed whose birth name was William but changed to George when ascending the Greek throne.

I have a bachelor's degree in history and I took a course on contemporary European history, but it's starting to be a long time ago. I still have some memories that we were talking about the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, including the independence of Greece. We must "remember" that the War of Independence took place from 1821 to 1829. We were then barely at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and the remaining powers were especially preoccupied with killing any idea of a republic in Europe. So already, on Greece, when the European countries saw what was happening, they said to themselves "it could be interesting to weaken the Ottomans but out of the question of seeing a Republic re-emerge in Europe". Don't forget that in the 1820s, the main concern of the main European powers was to consolidate the new world order, therefore preserving at all costs the image of the monarchy in general. In the end, the European powers ended up supporting the Greek independence fighters, but on the condition that the new state took the form of a monarchy. Then, yes, in the beginning there were attempts to have a ruler or regent of Greek or Byzantine origin. There were the Greeks who had sought to see if there were any Palaiologos who had survived (the last dynasty to rule the Byzantine Empire; which is, must not forget, mainly of Greek culture at the base). It didn't work out. During the Greek War of Independence, those who ruled the country were Greeks. They were not kings, they were sort of governors, but they were Greeks who ruled the "country". Except that as the years passed, the independence factions became more opposed to each other, to the point that in 1831 one of these governors was assassinated. In short, at one point, the tension between the different Greek factions was so great that putting a Greek at the head of state, once its independence had been definitively acquired, potentially risked leading the country towards civil war. This worried the Western powers who nevertheless supported the country militarily and in a certain way acted as guarantor for the country. It was not acceptable for them to take the risk that the country would collapse as soon as its independence had been acquired, even though they had invested resources to support the separatists. And so they ended up imposing on the Greeks a sovereign of foreign origin; and if possible, who is not from the royal family of the main European powers. Reason why it was a sovereign of Bavaria who was elected king of Greece in 1832. (I'm trying to summarize a little, I hope I've remained factual without making any mistakes)

I have a dream. (Tony Estanguet who becomes the next president of the IOC to see your reaction afterwards; sorry for Coe, but we have revenge to take on 2005)

Apologies for coming off xenophobic, it was an offhand comment. By yeah, my sincere apologies. I love Germany/Germans.

The „tubby Kraut“ bit was really quite unnecessary. There‘s many ways to describe Fencing 1976 without using stereotypes of a country where he‘s not even well-regarded anyway.

Fresh new photos of the Palace of Versailles, from the Sport&Société newspaper.

Olympics are the perfect occasion to discover a country. So, here's one of our traditions: the dictation. Used to torture children teach orthography and grammar in schools, it is also practiced by people of all ages for fun. Of course, one has been organized to celebrate the Games, gathering 3000 people on the Champ-de-Mars and broadcasted on prime time TV.

what about 2008...

Good morning! Are we up to four stadium options now?

As expected, on the occasion of D-100, quite a few articles and interviews concerning the opening ceremony. With an info: the director should be Simon Staffurth, who has directed the ceremonies of all the last Olympics since 2016*. Also, OBS has commissioned a documentary** from director Manuel Herrero on the organization of this opening ceremony (didn't the BBC do the same for London?), which will last approximately 1h30. * https://www.leparisien.fr/jo-paris-2024/jo-paris-2024-dans-les-secrets-de-la-plus-secrete-ceremonie-douverture-de-lhistoire-17-04-2024-W2AVKRL6VNAVFMQFVQBVRG2WUA.php ** https://www.leparisien.fr/jo-paris-2024/jo-paris-2024-un-documentaire-en-preparation-sur-les-coulisses-de-la-ceremonie-douverture-17-04-2024-MPFIAGU5YZFZXAPVPNDICQTMTY.php

We got today, along with the ignition of the olympic torch (the flame itself is from the day before because it was cloudy today in Greece), the draw for Handball! Look at the fun stuff right here, i think handball especialists can infer better on the relative strenghts of every group but i as a layman can feel that those must be tight. Denmark, Norway, Hungary and France with Egypt and Argentina at the same group for the boys. My Brasil girls will face off Spain, Netherlands, Hungary, France and (in a nice lusophone touch) Angola. France choose their groups in each tournament, by the way, so any shortcomings will absolutely be their fault. Gotta love the Olympic 6-team group formats, isnt it?

3 year delay so far "not damaging" "I'm relaxed with where Brisbane 2032 is at now"

29m agoApril 17, 2024HIGHLIGHT "Direct answers Mr Coates": Panel grows frustrated Stephanie Bennett Senator Ruston is asking Olympics supremo John Coates about the "new norms" and how they will work in context of the Brisbane 2032 Games – and whether they can be delivered. He says one of the reasons for the new norms was the damage that was done at the Sochi Winter Games – using a coastal city linking it with ski fields which usually be linked by helicopter – at a cost of $60bn. But the panel is getting frustrated with Mr Coates and his – in their view – long answers with Senator McKenzie telling him to answer directly due to the tight timeframe. "When Queensland was selected, we had 83 per cent of the venues in place," he says. We don't want white elephants: Coates Stephanie Bennett Mr Coates is being grilled about legacy, and whether the is a conflict between Brisbane using temporary facilities – such as the planned drop-in pool – the new norms. He says he doesn't see inconsistency there – and it was more important not to build "white elephants" which don't have any significant long-term use, and that legacy can include being able to use facilities before the games. Asked whether he had any concerns about the timeframe of construction, he says we won't be on track to attract any international events until the last four years before the Games. "(Because of) the distance and the cost of distance, it's not going to be easy for us to attract world championships and World Cups to Australia." Senator's Liveris jab: "could do us the courtesy of showing up" Stephanie Bennett Senator McKenzie puts it to Mr Coates: "We are yet to turn the sod on a transport or facilities venue. We are yet to have an agreed position on funding". "We’ve just been told by Mr Quirk that these funding agreements are going to have to be renegotiated between state and Commonwealth governments." Mr Coates says he thinks the Senator's concerns "are real" – but they need to be directed to the Queensland Government. "You're ignoring the fact that in the meantime the Organising Committee has been doing a tremendous job in terms of putting things in place." Senator McKenzie has a crack at this comment, saying "well if Mr Liveris would actually do us the courtesy of actually showing up to the committee so we can actually have the conversation rather than having it had through you".

JC blames Sochi for the current IOC problems Senator pissed off at JC about talking irrelevant rubbish

https://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Read_Listen Quirk up first (starting at 8:30am - ie. in 20 minutes) Coates due at 9:30am https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/PreparednessforGames

Let's not underestimate our ability, as French people, to complain all the time and in all circumstances! In addition, the anxiety-provoking climate created by government communication does not help. For May 8, a brand new illustrative image has just been released: With some additional details about the day's program revealed. Like for example around 3 p.m. a show at the Château d'If, when the Belem and the 1024 boats accompanying it will pass in front of: Around 150,000 people are expected. OM supporter groups are in discussions with the city to deploy large tifos when Belem arrives at the port; there is no doubt that this will make the “5th ceremony” truly Marseille. I understood that it was the IOC (via OBS) which is responsible for the TV broadcast of this “ceremony”. Let's see how non-French people will be able to see all this (direct on YouTube? sale of TV rights?).

1h30 since the ceremony and still not the slightest sarcastic comment in the French media to say that the presence of clouds in Olympia is a bad omen for the Olympic Games: my country disappoints me. All joking aside, here is the real start of the countdown. Your prediction for the first torchbearer on French soil, in Marseille? Zidane seems obvious to me, but we can be surprised.

He spoke so long, the 'celestial virgins' waiting to light the flame are no longer virgins!

New York bid for 2012. it‘s plan for a midtown stadium fell through during the bid though and basically destroyed any chance they had (and anyway, it was always a race mainly between Paris and London (who was considered the only one who might be able to beat the French favourite). I‘m with you and a lot (maybe most) non Americans here - we‘d love to see a New York games. Americans usually tell us that LA is the one with everything in place (and the US is allergic to sending public money on the games). And New Yorker members have said that most NYC residents don‘t feel Iike they need the Games to prove anything - we‘re the one and only Big Apple bitches!

I don't know that IOC can sign a "Host City contract" with an amorphous entity like "French Alps." There has to be a legal entity, a city, maybe even a Department that can guarantee and live up to what has been presented -- and whom the IOC can go after if things go wrong. The IOC cannot go after an entity called "French Alps," sebastien. Are you kidding me? That's why the IOC wants all those guarantees in place by the time the HCC is signed so that there are real, concrete legal entities coalescing to make the event happen. Even in 2014 when the cluster of stadia and venues were actually in Adler, the IOC's partner and answering entity was Sochi. You may not care what NBC does -- but the IOC does. Without NBC, there would be no IOC today. So take off your xenophobic blinders, sebastien. These are global events that the IOC puts on and safeguards.

Yeah, this is becoming beautiful!! Hope the gold shine brighter for my country there, both when this field sports sand and when it fields grass for the Paras. (Gotta get that beach volley and blind football medals!)

The Trocadéro is also beginning to be fitted out in preparation for the OOC. For the moment the area affected by the constructions is reduced, but from May/June it will be expanded (and the entire Trocadéro should be closed to tourists) The quays of the Seine will begin to be closed from the beginning of June. It’s really from this moment where everything will accelerate.

Would love the Games to return to Scotland! Glasgow would make one fine host

Anyway, when it comes to 2026 the Games doesn't need to be replicable. It just needs to be....there.

Yeah they don't really fit with each other - it can be replicated across the Commonwealth, in all the cities that have... recently hosted the Games anyway . Also lol at the fact that Melbourne (city) could've done exactly this very easily... (I'm wondering where they'll put athletics, it took ages to put that platform into Hampden, although it seemed to work very well)

I know, right. Its like the absurdity of everyone constantly lauding an LA Olympics as the "right model". None of this means anything to cities that don't have the right infrastructure in place to stage them quickly and easily.

I like Marina Hyde, my favourite columnist on The Guardian. So cuttingly witty. Here she brings her gift to the Enhanced Games: On your marks, get set, dope! Welcome to the Enhanced Games – the sporting event no one wants

Actually, I think this is better placed here than in the other Brisbane thread (so maybe Rol’s can remove it from there). This piece sums it up pretty nicely, especially for those who ask why doesn’t the IOC prioritize “legacy” when it comes to the Brisbane 2032 Games.. Brisbane's Olympic venue dispute the inevitable result of two dramatically different visions https://amp.abc.net.au/article/103620438

I could see them doing something like that in order to give 2030 to Ghana - unless Ghana's offer is based on keeping all the African Games stuff up. Like I've said before, I know Canada and London are considered the obvious choices for the centennial but there'd be something poetic about it being the one where it finally gets to Africa. Basically they should ask Ghana what's best for them & work around that - it's time.

Remember, he's not above the law in Australia. They would be asking questions nobody in Lausanne is able to. If corruption was uncovered (even if it was to the benefit of Australia through getting 2032), he'd be in deep ****. Makes me think of the 2015 FIFA scandal.

Because they're going to cross examine him. He won't have the cushion of Lausanne spin. He'd put his foot in **** re: Brisbane 2032 prep as well as the IOC process which led to its selection (eg. possible corruption on his part).

Unfortunately, if some people don't want to see the flame pass in their cities/departements, we can't impose that on them. For Lyon, we must not forget that the city (and the "department") is led by Green Party (EELV) who are openly anti-Olympics. This is also the reason why Lyon does not even appear in the 2030 candidacy even though it would be logical for it to be part of it. Grenoble is also led by an EELV mayor (not the department, however). To tell you how much certain politicians in France visibly hate the Olympics, the president of the department of Isère (where Grenoble is) said, to justify her choice: “The way it was presented, the commercial aspect, it seemed to us, for one day, to be completely uninteresting. We made this decision in a concerted manner.” And she's not even a member of the Green Party.

France released their kits back in January apparently. Designed by Stephane Ashpool