IOC President Coventry and Honorary President Bach return to Paris to mark Paris 2024 Olympic Games’ first anniversary

27 July 2025 - One year after the Olympic Games in Paris captured the world’s imagination, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kirsty Coventry, was welcomed back to the French capital to join in the celebrations commemorating this historic edition of the Games.

Joined by IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach, President Coventry took part in a full day of events that honoured the legacy of Paris 2024 and the Games’ transformative impact on the city, the country and the Olympic Movement. On Friday, Coventry was received at the Élysée Palace by French President Emmanuel Macron. The three leaders shared memories of the success of the Games and looked ahead to the preparations for the French Alps 2030 Olympic Winter Games, which will build on the strong foundations and legacy of Paris 2024.

An Olympic legacy journey

The celebrations began on Saturday with a warm welcome from the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, in front of City Hall — the very heart of the Olympic city. The IOC delegation met Olympic beach volleyball players and visited the esplanade, now transformed into a flourishing urban forest – a living reminder of Paris 2024’s commitment to sustainability and urban regeneration.

From there, the group followed the banks of the Seine, where a spectacular nautical parade of kayaks and dragon boats celebrated the milestone. As the boats glided past, echoing memories of the Opening Ceremony a year ago, the crowd erupted in spontaneous applause – with joyful shouts of “Merci!” from the water.

Arriving at the Pont Saint-Louis, the delegation previewed the “Monument aux Champions”, a permanent tribute to the Olympic and Paralympic medallists of Paris 2024. Artist Bina Baitel presented the design: hundreds of medals, inscribed with the names of the medallists, to be mounted on the bridge railings, connected by a silver ribbon – a poetic symbol of unity and Olympic celebration.

The walk continued down to the Seine, where the guests viewed one of five newly created swimmable areas – among the most tangible legacies of the Games. These sites are a powerful symbol of renewal and inclusion, transforming the river into a shared public space for generations to come.

After a heartfelt thank-you to the Paris firefighters for their vital contribution during the Games, the IOC delegation visited La Chapelle, where statues of 10 iconic French women – first revealed in the opening tableau of the Opening Ceremony, “Sororité”, have now found a permanent home. There, the ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, paid tribute to the vision behind their creation.

Next, the group inaugurated the Place Alice Milliat, named in honour of the pioneer of women’s sport in France, whose legacy continues to inspire.

At the Grand Palais, one of Paris 2024’s most iconic venues, the delegation joined hundreds of volunteers, the cherished “smile of the Games”, together with Olympic and Paralympic athletes and members of fan clubs, in a celebration hosted by Marc Guillaume, Prefect of the Île-de-France region, and French Sports Minister Marie Barsacq.

It is a huge honour for me to be here with you all to experience this magical moment. You only have to see the enthusiasm in this room to feel the energy you created. These Games would not have been possible without you. You made these Games something unique. The sense of joy, dedication and teamwork that defined Paris 2024 must stay with us – it is what made these Games so special.

Kirsty Coventry, IOC President

Addressing Tony Estanguet, IOC Member and President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, she said: “We started out as athletes, and now we are part of the Olympic Movement as sports officials. I am very proud to be on this journey with you.”

There are so many memories, it’s hard to choose, but what I will always remember is the smile of the volunteers. Paris 2024 changed the city – and changed the Games.

Thomas Bach, IOC Honorary President

Estanguet added: “What an emotion to be here with you. When we look back at these images, we realise how much they have marked us and will remain engraved in our memories forever. From the athletes to the fans, everyone played a role in making this a celebration we’ll never forget.”

Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), said: “It was a summer of unity and pride, where sport brought our nation together, proudly welcoming the world. Through the Games, France revealed its full potential: the beauty of Paris, the strength of its regions, and the unwavering dedication of 45,000 volunteers.”

Minister Barsacq noted: “A year on, Paris 2024 remains a powerful catalyst, not only in terms of infrastructure, but in how we view the importance of sport in society. The Olympic legacy is now part of our national identity.”

Building on legacy: from Paris to the Alps

In the afternoon, the IOC delegation travelled to the Olympic Aquatics Centre, where they were welcomed by Patrick Ollier, President of Greater Paris. There, they inaugurated a new set of Olympic rings before touring the venue, which hosted water polo, artistic swimming and diving events in 2024. Now open to the public, the facility also includes padel courts and climbing walls, making it a permanent asset for community sport.

From there, they continued to Parc Georges Valbon in Seine-Saint-Denis – a department central to the Olympic project – where thousands gathered to celebrate through sport, music and cultural performances. A new set of Olympic rings was inaugurated by Seine-Saint-Denis President Stéphane Troussel.

The day concluded in the Jardin des Tuileries, where thousands of spectators watched the symbolic re-ignition of the Olympic cauldron – a glowing reminder of the emotion and unity sparked by the Games.

During her time in Paris, President Coventry also held bilateral meetings with Amélie Oudéa-Castéra and Marie Barsacq. Their discussions focused on the long-term legacy of Paris 2024, the promotion of sport in France, and preparations for upcoming Olympic Games – including Milano Cortina 2026, Los Angeles 2028 and French Alps 2030.

President Coventry and Honorary President Bach were accompanied throughout the visit by IOC Members Tony Estanguet and Jean-Christophe Rolland, and also Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, who chaired the Coordination Commission for Paris 2024 and will now oversee preparations for the French Alps 2030 Winter Games.

As Paris celebrated one year on, the message was clear: the Games may have concluded, but their spirit and legacy continue to flourish – in Paris, across France and around the world.