SM CELEBRATES THE 2024 PARIS OLYMPICS

The past shapes us, belief empowers us.” Imagine a burning flame casting its warm glow against the backdrop of ancient ruins. As we trace its path through the hands of history, we witnessed a poignant moment as we reenacted a milestone of a storied past.

As Ambassador of Greece Ioannis Pediotis passed the torch to Ambassador of France Marie Fontanel in front of the giant globe in front of the upscale SM MOA, this relay collectively commenced the Paris 2024 Olympics highlighting the collaborative efforts worldwide.

This moving act marked the 100-day countdown, and the beginning of the Olympics, and ignited a celebration that will last forever. The ceremony coincided with the lighting of the Olympic Flame on April 16 in the sanctuary of Olympia in Greece where the ancient Games were first held.

After the relay, the S Maison’s “Legacy in Motion: A Visual Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes” exhibit was opened by Ambassadors Fontanel and Pediotis. This was made possible by the participation of Decathlon and SM SuperMalls, the French Embassy to the

Philippines, Alliance Française de Manille, and Agence France-Presse (AFP) who presented this display honoring the commitment and achievements of athletes.

Dynamic SM Supermalls president Steven Tan said, “SM Mall of Asia (MoA) has been a steadfast ally of the French Embassy, and from the outset of the year, plans were underway to launch the Olympics in a spectacular fashion right here at this iconic venue. MoA isn’t just any mall — it’s a beacon of over a thousand global and local brands, entertainment and dining options so it’s truly a must-visit for tourists and Filipino Families.”

The MoA globe is a symbol in its own right, whose metamorphosis into a colossal basketball during the last FIBA Games “earned it accolades as one of the world’s best outdoor advertising installations at Cannes,” he added with much elation.

The gallery exhibit honors athletes who have impressed the Olympic movement shown in carefully selected photographs of paralympic athletes and includes our remarkable Filipino athletes like Hidilyn Diaz, Margielyn Didal, Eumir Marcial, Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio and Michael Christian Martinez.

Besides the amazing photo exhibit, another highlight was the chance to sample the sumptuous Sula Spirits in coconut, coffee and dark chocolate flavors. Charming owner Vernon Carandang and his brand ambassador Sheila Sih made us try ice-cold Sula Spirits and we went loco over local coco! We also sampled their drink created for this AFP event called the “Manila 24.” The number 24 came from the fact the Philippines first joined the Olympics in 1924 in Paris. It’s a cocktail that symbolizes the celebration of the global unity and competitive spirit fostered by the Olympics.

Come summer, all roads will lead to a magical location where the tales of romance and celebration are unmatched. Billions of the world’s population will tune in on their TV monitors and social media avenues. These lights in Paris will honor the world’s most exceptional and driven Olympians. Every evening, every hour, a beam of light floods the city, and the Eiffel Tower bursts into a flurry of golden light for all to enjoy.

Paris will illuminate all the athletes this time. This impressive sight includes the Quais along the Seine River which have been closed to traffic for years on weekends to encourage runners, joggers, and cyclists to exercise.

The Alliance Frances de Manille is now providing athletes with French instruction as shared with us by my good friend Martin

Macalintal of the French Embassy. He also said that the Paris Olympics will be covered by the Agence France-Presse (AFP) Philippine bureau, so local reporters may be certain to receive information from AFP immediately. Our regional athletes will be skillfully featured in media reports and coverages.

The Philippine Sports Commission, in collaboration with the French Embassy and France Volontaires-Philippines, also trained nine Filipino volunteers who will help assure the successful staging of the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris.

“Inclusivity, audacity and innovation are the keywords of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but also those that best characterize France. We will continue to promote this spirit not only for the 2024 Summer Olympics but also within our cooperation with our Filipino partners,” Ambassador Fontanel said.

As I look back to the exciting events leading to the Olympics in Paris, I was reminded of a special trip that my best friend Bum Tenorio and I took to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. The museum, tucked away along the charming shores of Lake Geneva, is a monument to the

Olympic Games’ rich cultural legacy. We were in awe of the many victories and feats that every Olympian dedicates their life to. On July 26, the most awaited 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will finally open. Be there for this spectacle beyond athletics. Paris transforms into a playground where aspirations find wings and dreams take flight. It’s not just about winning; it’s about celebrating an exhilarating and life-changing milestone.

The Olympic dream is the supreme destiny of global athletes. It may be ephemeral, it may be a fleeting moment, but the memory of such an achievement will surely last forever.

After all, anything and everything is possible here.

The “Legacy in Motion” photo exhibit is also supported by Decathlon, Shake Shack and Sula Spirits (www.drinksula.com). This event was launched in S Maison at SM MOA and will tour The Podium on May 20-26 and SM Aura on June 23-30.

To know more about the Paris 2024 Olympics, log on to https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024 SM celebrates the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Ambassador of France Marie Fontanel and Ambassador of Greece Ioannis Pediotis (left and right center) with student-athletes and scholars from the National University

“Legacy in Motion: A Visual Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes” is an Agence France-Presse (AFP) photo exhibition at S Maison. Opening was led by: Ambassador of France Marie Fontanel (sixth from right), Ambassador of Greece Ioannis Pediotis (fifth from left), SM Supermalls’ president Steven Tan (fourth from left), Philippine Sports Commission president Richard Bachmann (back, left), Philippine Olympic Committee deputy secretary general Karen Caballero (second from left), Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo (left), and AFP Manila Bureau chief Allison Jackson (fourth from right). They are joined by Alliance Francaise de Manille (AFM) executive director Xavier Leroux (third from left), president Ambassador Cristina Ortega (fifth from right), and cultural manager Noe Fuentes (second from right); AFP deputy sales and marketing director for Asia-Pacific Alexis Bibard (third from right), and Decathlon’s Kim del Rosario (right).

Lighting ceremony and torch relay at the SM Mall of Asia Globe marking the 100-day countdown to Paris 2024 led by Ambassador of France Marie Fontanel (right) and Ambassador of Greece Ioannis Pediotis (left)

The iconic Ei›el Tower will be viewed during the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The city will captivate billions of TV viewers worldwide.

Gillian Akiko Thomson is a most accomplished Filipina swimmer in the Southeast Asian Games, having won eight gold medals in the biennial multisport meet between 1987 and 1993.

Hidilyn Diaz, Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist, beside her captured victorious moment by Agence France-Presse’s Vincenzo Pinto.

Paris is buzzing with excitement as it gears up for the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The city will be the ultimate hotspot, captivating billions of TV viewers worldwide and more.

Sula Spirits owned by Vernon Carandang served at the Event. The co›ee liqueur drink featured in the AFP event is called the “Manila 24” and is inspired by the Olympic ideals of unity and excellence.