Paris Mayor seeks advice from Tokyo Governor on bid for 2024 Olympics and Paralympics

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has sought the advice of Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe ©Getty Images

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has sought advice from Tokyo Governor Yōichi Masuzoe on staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games as the French city continues its campaign to host the event in 2024.

At a press conference in Paris to mark the signing of an agreement between the two capitals, Masuzoe pointed towards reducing costs as a key element of winning a bid following Tokyo’s victory in the race to host the 2020 Games.

He claimed Paris’ chances would also be increased if they presented plans to effectively use existing sporting facilities.

This appears to be part of Paris’ plan after a feasibility study in February included a string of examples, such as cycling at Versailles and archery at the Esplanade des Invalides, of how the city’s rich architectural heritage might be pressed into service.

The Governor of Japan’s capital city admitted, however, the lavish amount often spent on securing the hosting rights for the world’s largest multi-sport event can be justified if a good enough legacy can be achieved.

His comments come despite Tokyo 2020 having well-documented issues with financing, largely over the spiraling costs of the proposed National Stadium which forced initial plans for the venue to be scrapped.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzō Abe made the call to axe the plans as the bill rose to ¥252 billion (£1.4 billion/$2.1 billion/€1.9 billion), nearly doubling original estimates.

Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe has offered Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo advice on how to win their bid for the Olympics and Paralympics in 2024 ©Getty Images

Paris, who were joined on the start line in the race for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics by European counterparts Budapest, Hamburg and Rome as well as Los Angeles, deliberated at length before officially declaring their candidacy last month.

The French city plans to ensure a lasting environmental impact should it be chosen at the International Olympic Committee Session in Lima, Peru in 2017, with Hidalgo again reiterating her plans to allow Paris’ citizens to swim in the River Seine after the 2024 Games.

Hidalgo had vowed in July that the swimming section of triathlon events will take place in the Seine underneath the Eiffel Tower should Paris win.

She has also previously predicted the “legacy of the Games for Paris can be a major ecological legacy”.

It was originally thought that Hidalgo was uneasy about the prospect of Paris hosting the 2024 event after it lost out to London for the 2012 Games despite being strong favourites but they eventually pressed ahead with their bid to bring the Summer Games to France for the first time since 1924.

The agreement signed by the Paris Mayor and Masuzoe will see the two capital cities work closely together on issues such as environmental protection, tourism and cultural exchange.