Paris, 27th July 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hajrulla Çeku, and Deputy Minister Daulina Osmani, participated in the solemn opening ceremony of the thirty-third Olympic Games in Paris, in the French capital where they were held a century ago.
Among the 206 countries represented and who paraded in front of the public with 10,500 athletes – with an exact gender equality of 50/50 women and men for the first time – who sailed on the river Seine, as a people and as a state we all proudly experienced the passage of the delegation of The Olympic Committee of Kosovo, which also starts participating in the first competitions today through the boxer Donika Sadiku.
Thus, from the human rights square of the Trocadero and in front of the Eiffel tower, we were proud of the presence of our state. This Olympic ceremony for the first time was not held in an Olympic stadium but outside it, making the City of Lights even more alive with the animations and the splendor of the historical monuments on the banks of the Seine.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo expresses its gratitude to the French state and the municipality of Paris for the warm hospitality, but also a special gratitude to the thousands of athletes, artists and volunteers who offered us such a beautiful example and display of a dedication and collective will.
As the Government of Kosovo has started preparations for the Mediterranean Games of 2030, and as talks began with France to draw lessons from these Olympic Games, we are aware of the challenges but also ready to overcome them with full commitment and will.
Last modified: July 29, 2024