All roads lead to Paris as the 100-day countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games begins. In the Philippines, a ceremonial lighting and torch relay was held at the SM Mall of Asia Globe between Greek Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis and French Ambassador Marie Fontanel.
Both Ambassadors also graced the opening of the photo exhibition ‘Legacy in Motion: A Visual Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes,’ at S Maison presented by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Alliance Française de Manille (AFM), the Embassy of France to the Philippines, and SM Supermalls.
French Ambassador Marie Fontanel (right) receives the symbolic torch from Greek Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis (left) during a lighting ceremony and torch relay at the SM Mall of Asia Globe marking the 100-day countdown to Paris 2024.
Leading the launch of the Agence France-Presse (AFP) photo exhibition, ‘Legacy in Motion: A Visual Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes,’ at S Maison were: French Ambassador Marie Fontanel (6th from right), Greek Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis (5th from left), SM Supermalls’ President Steven Tan (4th from left), Philippine Sports Commission President Richard Bachmann (back, left), Philippine Olympic Committee Deputy Secretary General Karen Caballero (2nd from left), Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael Barredo (left), and AFP Manila Bureau Chief Allison Jackson (4th from right). They are joined by Alliance Francaise de Manille (AFM) Executive Director Xavier Leroux (3rd from left), President Ambassador Cristina Ortega (5th from right), and Cultural Manager Noe Fuentes (2nd from right); AFP Deputy Sales and Marketing Director for Asia-Pacific Alexis Bibard (3rd from right), and Decathlon’s Kim del Rosario (right).
French Ambassador Marie Fontanel (left) and Greek Ambassador Ioannis Pediotis (right) with student athletes and scholars from the National University.
The ceremony coincides with the lighting of the Olympic Flame in the sanctuary of Olympia in Greece, where the ancient Games were first held. The Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in the French capital from July 26 to August 11, and August 28 to September 8, 2024 respectively.
Through a carefully curated collection of images from leading global news agency AFP, ‘Legacy in Motion’ is a poignant tribute to the athletes and sports that have defined the Olympic movement. The exhibit celebrates the spirit of athleticism, perseverance, and camaraderie that transcends borders and generations. More than just a showcase of athletic prowess – it is a powerful tribute to the human spirit, a story of dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering determination.
Among those featured are the country’s first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and Filipino athletes Margielyn Didal, Eumir Marcial, Carlos Yulo, and Nesthy Petecio, who participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and Michael Christian Martinez, who began his ice-skating career at SM Skating to become a two-time Winter Olympian.
The event is also supported by Decathlon, Sula Spirits, and Shake Shack, and is ongoing at S Maison until April 27, and will tour The Podium on May 20-26 and SM Aura on June 23-30.
