For the second consecutive year, as the countdown begins for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris, which will take place next summer, and with only 150 days remaining until the Olympics open, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the organizing committee for the Olympics organized a "Relay Race" worldwide in collaboration with French embassies and consulates in 133 countries across five continents. Among these locations is the courtyard of the "Pine Palace" in Beirut, Lebanon, hosted over a 24-hour period on Friday under the slogan "Land of Games."
The event was organized by the French embassy in Lebanon in cooperation with "Sports Academy School." Attendees included the Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Georges Kallas, the French Ambassador to Lebanon Hervé Magro, the President of the Lebanese Olympic Committee Dr. Pierre Jalakh, the advisor to the Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Raja Labaki, staff from the French embassy, the director of "Sports Academy School" Dr. George Assaf, and a large number of media and press representatives.
This race reflects the importance of sports and Olympic values among Lebanese youth, with participation from directors of Francophone schools (eight in total), teachers, and students from schools and universities (three universities), alongside professional athletes, including those who have previously participated in the Olympics and Paralympics.
Participants and invited guests gathered early in the morning. Once attendance was complete, the event's host Margot Dubois from "Sports Academy School" welcomed everyone and presented the mascot for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Ambassador Magro expressed his pleasure with the sporting activity at "Pine Palace" for the second consecutive year, a site that witnessed the birth of "Greater Lebanon" in 1920. He noted that 150 days separate the world from the opening of the Paris Olympics and thanked all those contributing to the success of this sports event organized by the embassy in collaboration with "Sports Academy School." He affirmed that the embassy supports sports activities and wished success to all participating runners.
Minister Kallas's speech included a message of gratitude to France through Ambassador Hervé Magro for organizing this sports, cultural, and humanitarian event. He expressed pride that Lebanon remains determined to shine despite the crises and aggressions it faces. He added that through this event, Lebanese youth would present themselves to the world of sports in France this July and August, emphasizing their commitment to building a rich civilization and an open culture, while also honoring the struggles and sacrifices of Lebanese youth in the south defending human dignity and land.
He highlighted that their presence together is an opportunity to thank France for building bridges between peoples and working for peace while protecting Lebanon from all dangers and distancing it from conspiracies threatening its mission. The Lebanese athletes participating in the Olympic and Paralympic Games embody Lebanon's cultured image and demonstrate through this sports mission that the quality of Lebanese people is rooted in their diversity.
Kallas continued, "Greetings to academic institutions and participating sports teams. I wish you success and achievements that reflect the image of Lebanon. Ambassador, we appreciate your efforts and diplomatic role, and we hope with you and those concerned for Lebanon that the institutions are completed as soon as possible with the election of a president. We are against vacuum and warn of its dangers, fearing it may become a condition we endure. Election of a president would lead to constitutional stability, reassuring Lebanese about their future, allowing us to recover our youth, and affirming that all of Lebanon belongs to them, and they in turn belong to Lebanon."
Kallas concluded, "Lebanon deserves peace. Lebanon thanks you for your brotherly efforts and extends appreciation for the deep relations between France and Lebanon." The final speech by Dr. Jalakh spoke about the ties of friendship between Lebanon and France, including in sports cooperation, emphasizing that holding the "Relay Race" is a step that brings people closer and gives hope for life. He added that Lebanon will participate with a mission in the next Olympics, hoping for good results, which is the largest event globally held every four years. He highlighted that Lebanon previously hosted the Francophone Games in September 2009 and congratulated the efforts of "Sports Academy School," particularly its director George Assaf.
The event concluded with the presentation of sports shirts to distinguished attendees bearing the names of the Minister of Youth and Sports, the French ambassador, and the President of the Lebanese Olympic Committee, followed by commemorative photos and the start of the first and second races, culminating in a victory ceremony for winners.
