'Now or never' in 2024 Olympic bid, says Paris bid team

The Paris Olympic bid team has shrugged off the possibility of waiting for another four years to host the Olympic Games, emphasising that it was a "now-or-never" decision for the city's attempt to host the 2024 Games.

"We cannot accept 2028. It's not possible," said Paris bid co-chairman Tony Estanguet during a visit to London on Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

"It is the time for the Olympics to come back to Paris, to Europe, in 2024. It's now or never," he added.

Paris and Los Angeles were two remaining contenders for the 2024 Olympic bid. International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has come up with a plan to award the 2024 sporting event to one city, the 2028 to the other, as a solution to bring both cities success in their bid.

"Our projects are only possible for 2024," Estanguet pointed out, hoping that the French capital can succeed after three disappointing losses in former bids.

Compared with Paris' strong stance, Los Angeles reacted to the prospect in a more cautious way.

"Los Angeles is the right city at this critical time for the Olympic Movement and is only bidding for 2024," read a statement from the LA bid team on Tuesday.

The IOC will announce the host for the 2024 Olympic Games on its session in Lima this September.

--IANS

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