Ahead of the much-anticipated opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on 26 July and Paralympic Games on 28 August, the French Embassy in Laos organized a sports event in the garden of the French Institute.
This gathering brought together participants from Laos, ASEAN countries, and France, creating a welcoming atmosphere centered around various sports activities including pétanque, badminton, ping pong, archery, basketball, and a boxing show by Lao athlete Daomayuly Chanthilath.
The pétanque contest, featuring teams from the French Embassy, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Health, and the Lao Rugby Federation, ended in a victory for the representatives of the Ministry of Education and Sports.
French Ambassador in Laos, Siv-Leng Chhuor, and Vice-Minister of Education and Sports, Kingmano Phommahaxay, inaugurated the event, stressing the importance of inclusion, equality, respect, and team spirit that sports merge into a universal language. Ambassador Chhuor highlighted France’s commitment to fostering human exchanges between Lao and French youths, particularly through education and sports initiatives.
Also, as Laos assumes the ASEAN chairmanship in 2024, the event saw the presence of several representatives from ASEAN countries, joining hands in celebrating friendship and camaraderie through the practice of popular sports in Laos and the region.
The event in Vientiane is part of the global initiative “Relay around the world,” spearheaded by Paris 2024 and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs on 14 March. This initiative orchestrated a 24-hour sport relay across five continents, engaging more than 18,000 participants and 176 athletes who showcased 55 different sports throughout the day.
During the Olympic Games in Paris, millions of fans will enjoy 41 sports, including new ones like breaking and skateboarding. The goal is to be inclusive, fair, and focus on young athletes, according to the official website of the event. Paris 2024 also wants to make a positive impact on the environment and leave a lasting legacy. Athletes are at the heart of it all, promising an amazing experience. Famous landmarks in Paris will turn into sports arenas, making it a unique event.
