Why do French Language Prevail at the Olympics?
![images[7]](http://traveltofranceandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/images7.jpg)
Yes, French “language”, not French athletes! They hardly ever prevail in any sports at the Olympics!
But indeed, French language is one of the 2 official Olympic languages (English being the other one), but it will prevail over English texts if any translation discrepancies were to happen, as it is stipulated in the 2007 Olympic charter.
Well, since it is almost the only thing we will be able to brag about, I do !!!
French language prevails because it is a Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin who revived the Olympic Games after the original Greek ones stopped in the 4th century AD. The first new version began in 1896 in Athens, and the first winter version in 1924 in Chamonix (one of our destination on our tour to France with French Escapade).
Now, let’s talk 2008! Which sports can the French expect to get some medals? French secretary Roselyn Bachelot, in charge of sports, expects around 36 medals.
- Fencing is the sports where we usually get the most medals for.
(Our topr atheletes: the Jeannet brothers, Laura Flessel)
- Swimming could give us 6 medals this time.
(Our top athletes: Alain Bernard and Laure Manaudou)
- Judo is another event where we do not do too bad.
( Our top athlete: Teddy Riner )
- Kayaking could be a winner.
(Our top athlete: Tony Estanguet)
As for track and field events, if we manage to get one medal, whatever metal it is made of, we will all be very surprised! But let’s knock on wood!
My name is Jackie Grandchamps. In 2003, I founded French Escapade, offering another way to travel in small groups of 8. "Don't be a tourist, be our guest" is the moto and spirit of my company.
Check www.frenchescapade.com
Through this blog, I will provide information about France, Belgium, California, (soon Italy) but also some stories from my guests on the tours.
Learn more about the company in the French Escapade section of this blog.
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
The official status of French as an Olympic language is a survivance of the past, nothing more. Like all survivances, it has no future. After the 1994 Lillehammer games Chirac kicked up a stink because the organizers had forgotten that French was an official language and didn’t translate English-language announcements. Well, next time that happens there won’t be a Chirac around to make a fuss and it will make a precedent.
I would also like to add that la Francophonie spends lots of French taxpayers’ money toward the games being hosted in three languages rather than just two. Anglophone countries on the other hand needn’t spend a cent for the games to be hosted in English, because the games will be hosted in English anyway as English is necessary internationally while French isn’t. Let us see how long the French can afford their language pride.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:33 am
Yes, this is just an useless usage, but, just like the 23 official languages of the EC are meant to please each country’s pride (when 2 or 3 languages could be plenty, not to say just English) I like the idea not to do only things that save money, but things that allow the respect of national differences. It also gives jobs to translators, if it can be a point !
February 13th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Great article, adding it to my bookmarks!