Officials Still Considering Paris Bid For 2024 Games Despite 2025 World Expo Candidacy

French officials "are still considering a possible Paris bid for the 2024 Olympics," even though PM Manuel Valls has endorsed the city's candidacy to host the 2025 World Expo, according to the AP. Officials at the French presidency and French Olympic Committee said on Tuesday that Valls' backing for the world's fair "does not mean that Paris would be unable to bid for the Olympics." While France's economic recovery is the top priority of Valls' government, "the two projects would require huge funding that has yet to be finalized." But sports adviser to French President Francois Hollande, Nathalie Iannetta, said that "both events could be pursued at the same time." Iannetta: "The investments that will be made will benefit both projects." Paris "is one of several cities that have expressed interest in hosting the 2024 Games." Cities in the U.S., Italy, Germany, South Africa, Qatar, Hungary and Turkey "are among potential contenders" (AP, 10/14).