Alliance Francaise de Bulawayo to host pre-Olympic event

BULAWAYO will play host to an event organised by Alliance Francaise as part of ther 2024 Paris Olympics build up on Friday evening.

The gathering will be at the organisation’s offices in Suburbs and Bulawayo will be among 120 countries of the world to have a similar meeting.

In attendance will be Zimbabwe Olympians and it is a partnership with the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.

French Ambassador to Zimbabwe Laurent Chevallier will officially open the cocktail party.

Two other centres in Zimbabwe will play host to a similar event.

“As we as more than 120 French embassies all around the world, the French Embassy in Zimbabwe and the three Alliances Francaises of Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls are part of a network called ‘Land of the Games’ 2024, promoting the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as well as sport and Olympic values. For months, and until the beginning of the Olympic Games, France and Zimbabwe with the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee are working hand in hand,” read a statement from the promoters.

They said the gathering will have an artistic and cultural flavour, with an exhibition based on encounters between high-level athletes and four photographers.

“The athletes photographed all have in common that they are champions of their discipline at national and international level and also have commitments to social causes,” said Alliance Francaise in a statement.

The four athletes are Arnaud Assomani, Marie-Amelie Le Fur, Patricio Manuel and Aya Cissoko.

Assomani’s image was taken by Adrien Selbert. He was born without a left forearm and became a long jump specialist and won several international medals.

“Far from devoting his life to this sport alone, he is involved in a multitude of commitments, driven by boundless energy and curiosity.”

Le Fur was photographed by Magali with her several Paralympic medals. She is a champion is sport for people with disabilities.

Manuel was the first transgender athlete and was photographed by Maia Flore.

Cissoko a Malian was photographed by Francfoise Huguier.

She fought as a boxer up to the age of 26 and began a new life as a committed writer dedicating to fighting racism and rights to self-determination.

Bulawayo has Olympians such as Pat Buckle.