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On The Ground in Rio

Politically Incorrect: USOC, Paris '24 Set Dueling Press Conferences

French President Francois Hollande will be part of Friday's Paris '24 press conference
There’s going to be a very politically incorrect scheduling conflict at the Olympics tomorrow morning.

At 10 a.m., the U.S. Olympic Committee leadership is scheduled to take questions for 40 minutes in the main press center, covering last-second Games preparation and everything else. You can count on a big crowd of journalists.

But just 15 minutes later, there’s another marquee press conference a few doors away: French President Francois Hollande will join the Paris 2024 bid committee at 10:15 a.m., its one and only official opportunity at Rio under rules designed to keep the current Games in the spotlight.

This scenario forces journalists to make a tough choice: executives of the Olympics’ largest team, or the head of state of a serious candidate to win the 2024 Summer Games? Adding to the drama, the U.S. is France’s toughest competition for the '24 Games. (Los Angeles 2024 has its own press conference scheduled for Tuesday.)

Both the USOC and Paris ’24 say they weren’t aware of the conflict when they asked for the times and the rooms. The IOC, which ultimately controls the schedule, did not reply to requests for comment.

On one hand, this may not be a true conflict to that many journalists. American reporters will be most curious about the Games opening that night, and wire services, French media and European political press will be more interested in Hollande.

Nevertheless, the Olympic movement puts a premium on protocol and gentlemanly conduct, especially in the context of bidding races. Los Angeles and Paris officials go to great lengths to avoid even the perception of overt competition or gamesmanship, and now — apparently through no fault of their own — they’re counterprogramming to each other.

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