The challenge for Dupilet and his colleagues was to convince national delegations to base their teams in France rather than the seemingly more obvious choice, on the other side of the channel.Įven the British have crossed the channel “Within seconds of hearing London had won the games, we hoisted the British flag at the council because we knew it was an opportunity,” said Dupilet. When London was chosen ahead of Paris to host the sporting bonanza of the 2012 Olympic Games, there was the expected outburst of “Sacrebleu!” among authorities in the French capital.īut in contrast to those in Paris, one French official not too far away was celebrating the decision as if he had just won a gold medal.ĭominique Dupilet, the president of the council of Pas de Calais, the department in north France nearest to Britain, realised that Paris’ loss could be their gain.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |