President Thomas Bach speaks of "a golden opportunity" as he urges the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to approve awarding the 2024 and 2028 Games to Paris and Los Angeles at the same time.
Addressing an extraordinary IOC Session which is to vote on a proposal from the executive board, Bach named the two cities "outstanding candidatures" and spoke of "countries with a profound Olympic history.
"This is a golden opportunity. It is hard to imagine something better," Bach said. "We can together create a win-win-win situation for the Olympic Movement, for LA and the United States, for Paris and France, and the IOC. This is about seizing an opportunity."
Bach also urged a reform of the candidature procedures from 2026 onwards in light of scepticism in many western countries and new political realities, saying: "It is in our best interest to demonstrate that traditional winter sport areas are very welcome as hosts ... Let us show sport is about ambition, let's not rest on our current strength."
