The IOC evaluation commission "hailed" the Paris 2024 bid presentation as "exceptional" and "well detailed" at the end of the opening day of a three-day visit to the French capital on Sunday, according to Julien Pretot of REUTERS. Commission Chair Patrick Baumann said, "Our friends of Paris 2024 presented us with an exceptional and well-detailed bid presentation." Baumann, however, was "careful not to put Paris ahead or behind its only rival," L.A., which was visited by the evaluation commission last week. An "air of uncertainty has been hanging over the bidding process" with the IOC considering a proposal that would mean the 2024 and 2028 Games "both being awarded on Sept. 13 during a congress in Lima." Pressed by the media on the matter, the Paris team and Baumann said that "only 2024 was being assessed." Baumann: "We are still in a process where we assess a potential candidacy for 2024. 2024-2028 is not a matter of discussion." Paris unveiled another "high-profile supporter" in former France football int'l and Real Madrid Manager Zinedine Zidane. Zidane said, "I was involved in several bids but this one is really close to our hearts" (REUTERS, 5/14).
