Paris, 24 June 2004 – The following is a statement issued by the City of Paris in response to an article published today in ‘The Evening Standard’, titled ‘French told to remove Olympic banners’:

Paris 2012 is committed to strictly respect the rules set up by the IOC in the Candidature Acceptance Procedure for the Games of the XXX Olympiad and as such, was very sensitive to the guidelines surrounding the upcoming Olympic Torch Relay.

Like all Candidate Cities, Paris has received a letter from the IOC reminding of the rules surrounding the Olympic Torch Relay.

That is why the City of Paris consulted with the IOC Ethics Commission regarding the colourful Paris 2012 flags and banners that have adorned the city since May 24, 2004, as part of the programme to mobilise national public support for the Bid. Following this consultation, the City of Paris removed all (500) of the Paris 2012 banners and flags along the route of the Olympic Torch Relay in Paris, which is scheduled for Friday, June 25, 2004.

But the IOC did not send any specific letter ordering or asking the City of Paris to remove the banners.

As the 1,000 remaining banners are not on the route of the Olympic Torch Relay, they can and will remain in place.

For further information, please contact:

Jérôme Lenfant
Paris 2012 Media Relations Director
+33 (0)1 53 57 56 19
jlenfant@parisjo2012.fr

or

Paris 2012 Global Media Office
International free phone: +800 2012 2012
Within France, dial 00.800.2012.2012
media@parisjo2012.fr