President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday participated in Paris, in the opening of the Romanian House at the Embassy of Romania in France for the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games.
„We can rightly say that, starting today, Romania’s heart will beat even stronger here, thanks to our athletes who will enter the biggest international competition. Every moment of this experience will be a memorable one, and the work, dedication and perseverance will be rewarded with results to match. These days in Paris, especially amidst the complicated international context, sports show us that, under the auspices of cooperation, solidarity and friendship, there can be peaceful, but very strong competition,” Iohannis told the opening ceremony at the Romanian Embassy in Paris.
He said that Romania’s participation in the Olympic Games is a source of pride for all of us and that „sports are part of what we are as a nation, an identity developed and built for over a century, with results that have remained international benchmarks today.”
„The impressive gallery of athletes is currently enriched by a young, energetic and ambitious generation, which has managed to adapt and reinvent itself with each obstacle encountered and that is why it fully deserves our gratitude and appreciation,” added Iohannis.
The president also delivered a message of support to the Romanian athletes participating in the Olympic Games.
„Dear athletes, you have worked hard for your Olympic dream and I wish you to live this whole experience with joy and enthusiasm. I am convinced that you will perform and offer many beautiful moments to Romanians, who will follow your performances and root for you wholeheartedly. I’m encouraging you to be confident in the arena in the power you have and I wish you to achieve all the goals you have set for yourself! I wish you much, much success! Go Romania!”
According to Chairman of the Romanian Olympic Committee, Mihai Covaliu, Romania’s House is a celebration of excellence.
„It is an anniversary of the joy and the place that we, those of Team Romania, consider for the next three weeks home. (…) Here we will pay homage to our champions. We respect the past, those who have created the tradition and legacy of the Olympic tradition, and here too our future champions will get applause and hugs. Here we will show gratitude to all those who supported the dreams of our athletes, to the partners of the Olympic family, through everything we bring together to the House of Romania – excellence, friendship, respect, national pride and honor. We urge the world to look forward with responsibility, unity and solidarity,” said Covaliu.
Chair of Romania’s National Agency for Sport Elisabeta Lipa also talked about the house. She said that temporary exhibitions there offered visitors the opportunity to discover the fascinating stories of the Romanian Olympians, from their first successes to their recent performances. The exhibitions include medals, sports equipment and other objects.
„Romania’s House is a place where the glorious past meets the promising present and the hopeful future of Romanian sports. Over time, our athletes have brought no less than 309 Olympic medals, of which 90 gold, 97 silver and 122 bronze medals. Each of these medals represents a story of determination, sacrifice and excellence,” said Lipa.
AGERPRES
