WHAT'S THE ISSUE

Two sets of Olympic Games – Summer and Winter – are now behind us. As Beijing packs up its podiums, the sporting world is now looking to France.

After the Rugby World Cup, Olympic fever will reconvene with the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games – exactly 100 years since the French capital hosted the Summer Games of 1924.

The baton has been passed. With the program featuring 32 sports encompassing 306 events, organizers say the Paris Games will be the biggest event France has ever organised. Following a turbulent period of preparation, just how will Paris perform on the global stage of sport?

To find out, The Agenda's Stephen Cole is joined by Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

MEET THE EXPERT

Tony Estanguet is the President of Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Committee. He is a three-time European champion, three-time world champion and triple Olympic champion. 

Estanguet was France's flag-bearer at the Beijing Games and the first French athlete to have won three gold medals in three different Olympiads, triumphing at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and London 2012.

Elected to the International Olympic Committee's Athletes Commission in 2012, Estanquet has been heavily involved in the IOC's Sustainability and Legacy Commission. He has also been Vice-President of the International Canoe Federation since 2014.

Asked about the behind-the-scenes challenges, Estanguet told Stephen he is adamant that the scale of organization required won't deter their enthusiasm:

"We will have 869 events to deliver, and for me, the main challenge every day is to maintain a very high level of ambition. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and we believe that France has great potential to organize a spectacular Games," he said.

Paris also promises to deliver a carbon-neutral Games, with much of the organizers' focus devoted to climate and environmental considerations. Estanguet hopes it sets a standard for future Games. 

"We want to try to propose a new way to deliver the games through a more responsible model to cut the carbon footprint," he said.

With the Paralympic Games, Tony wants to capture global attention and to change public perception. "We have a target around disability and making sure that the Paralympic Games will also help people to be more open about a more inclusive society," he insisted.

FIND MORE STORIES FROM THE AGENDA WITH STEPHEN COLE  HERE