French Embassy leads relay, sets photo exhibit of Olympic, Paralympic athletes
THE Embassy of France, in partnership with SM Supermalls, organized a symbolic relay between Greece’s ambassador Ioannis Pediotis and Ambassador Marie Fontanel of France on April 16—when the Paris 2024 Olympic Flame was lit in the sanctuary of Olympia in the former.
The relay, which was held at the SM Mall of Asia Globe, is part of the series of events organized from September 8 until the closing day of the Paralympic Games.
“Inclusivity, audacity, and innovation are the key words of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but also those that best characterize France,” said the French envoy. “We will continue to promote this spirit not only for the 2024 Summer Olympics, but also within our cooperation with our Filipino partners.”
Following the relay, Fontanel and Pediotis also led the inauguration of the exhibit: “Legacy in Motion: A Visual Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes,” presented by Agence France-presse (AFP), Alliance Française de Manille and the Embassy of France to the Philippines, with support from Decathlon and SM Supermalls.
With a carefully curated collection of images from AFP, the display is a poignant tribute to athletes and sports that have defined the Olympic movement.
For the Philippine showcase, photos of Filipino athletes Hidilyn Diaz, Margielyn Arda Didal, Eumir Felix Marcial, Carlos Edriel Yulo, Nesthy Petecio who participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and Michael Christian Martinez who participated in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, were showcased.
The exhibit runs until April 26 at S Maison, May 20 to 26 at The Podium, and June 21 to 30 at SM Aura.