France considers 2024 Games bid

President Hollande and prime minister Jean-Marc Ayrault in favour of bid to mark 100 years since Paris last hosted Games

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THE FRENCH government is considering a bid for Paris to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games - after losing out to London this year.

France Info reports that President Hollande is keen to look at the case for becoming a candidate, in what would mark the 100th anniversary since the French capital last hosted the games in 1924.

Prime minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who visited London on Friday for the Olympics opening ceremony, said it would be a "very good ambition".

The International Olympic Committee is due to reach a decision in 2017. Hollande said: "We can only become a candidate if we have a serious chance of success."

The city bid for the Games in 1992, 2008 and 2012 - coming in second place this year behind London.

Officials hope that the "Grand Paris" initiative, a programme of redevelopment and public transport improvements launched during Nicolas Sarkozy's presidency, will help Paris's case.

Photo: heschong/Flickr

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