• 

14 Mar 2023

The Relay Around the World is unprecedented event that demonstrated the ability of sport to bring people together through the energy of Olympics and Paralympics games.

With less than 500 days remaining before the Olympics Games, Paris 2024 organisation and the French Ministries Europe and Foreign Affairs held a second 24 hours relay in Gaborone on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Relay Around the World event, the French Ambassador to Botswana, Olivier Brochenin said the relay was hosted across all the five continents.

The relay, he said, started on Tuesday in New-Zealand, travel through Oceania, Asia, Africa, and Europe America and ended at the Pacific.

Almost 130 Embassies, Consulate and overseas regions were also taking part in the Relay Around the World.

The relay, he said, was an unprecedented event that demonstrated the ability of sport to bring people together through the energy of Olympics and Paralympics games.

BNOC president Botsang Tshenyego said he was happy to recognise the ever growing relations between the French Embassy and the Olympic and Sport sector in Botswana.

Talking about the Paris 2024 Games, he said there was already evidence and proof that the games conveyed sustainable solutions.

The ambitious endeavours include being the first carbon neutral games, 100 per cent renewable energy for the games, setting up circular economy for the games that aim for zero waste, demonstrate the protection of biodiversity at all the venues, provide clean transport for athletes, delegations, media and organisers as well as other efforts that contribute to greening of the Games

“This is what the Paris 2024 Games have for Sustainability and Legacy.

Perhaps our BONA AFCON 2027 Campaign can borrow from this games,” he said.

Gaborone mayor, Austin Abraham said the COVID-19 pandemic had caused a significant disruption to the school sporting system.

He said government had been fighting tooth and nail to overcome the issue of school sport stoppage.

This stumbling block, he said, had compelled organisations such as BNOC and Botswana National Sport Commission to become creative and innovative in how sport was incorporated into the lives of the youth.

“Whilst certainly not traditional, I can but applaud your efforts in bringing an event such as this to our students this morning.

I am also pleased to see that we have participation from students from both private and public schools, and wish to commend their teachers and coaches for being able to field teams, even when faced with the adversity mentioned.

You are unsung heroes, and I acknowledge your efforts,” he said. ENDS