FDJ becomes first Paris 2024 bid sponsor
French gaming operator Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) has become the first official sponsor of Paris’ bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games.
FDJ, which runs the French national lottery, has paid €2 million ($2.2 million) to become a partner, with the Paris 2024 Bid Committee adding that further similar deals will be announced in the coming months.
A lottery scratch card game promoting the Paris bid will also be launched in 2017 by FDJ and could help fund the bid, which is set to cost about €60 million.
Etienne Thobois, chief executive of the Paris 2024 bid, said: “Paris 2024 is delighted to launch its new sponsorship programme today and we are thrilled to have La Française des Jeux as our inaugural partner.
“The support of FDJ, who has a long tradition and history working with Olympic and Paralympic sports, will make a valuable contribution to our bid.
“I want to thank FDJ for their committed partnership and we now look forward to announcing further Paris 2024 sponsors who will each help to promote sport to the public in France and provide support for our campaign to become the 2024 Olympic host city.”
Paris is up against Budapest, Los Angeles and Rome in the race for the 2024 Games, with a decision set to be made in 2017.
“For many months now, FDJ has expressed its firm support for Paris to be selected to host the 2024 Games so it gives me great pleasure today to confirm our official sponsorship of the bid,” FDJ chief executive Stéphane Pallez said.
“The Paris 2024 campaign will continue to highlight the great passion for sport in France and we are honoured to make this contribution to help the city in its Olympic journey.
“We wish the bid team every success to help bring the Olympic flame to Paris in 2024.”
Meanwhile, FDJ has also extended its sponsorship of the French UCI WorldTour cycling team of the same name for a further two years.
The new deal will run until the end of 2018 and will see the partnership reach a 22nd season, with FDJ having sponsored the team since its inception in 1997.
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