France is hosting the rugby union World Cup for the second time. The tournament will run from 8 September to 28 October.
France is hosting the rugby union World Cup for the second time. The tournament will run from 8 September to 28 October.
Sport is a vehicle for international outreach, competitiveness and job creation. To this end, it plays an important role in French economic and soft diplomacy, towards which all State services are working. Alongside the sports movement, the Sports Ministry, companies and regions, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has established an action plan coordinated by Sports Ambassador Laurence Fischer.
Sports diplomacy is seen as global diplomacy, focusing on increasing influence, economic development, regulating globalization and communication in order to support French sport internationally.
As France will host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, sport is more than ever a major issue for our country, in terms of image, international influence and economic and social development.
France is actively preparing to welcome the world for the Olympics in three years’ time, and the entire Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is fully involved in preparations. It is an exciting adventure in which I am proud to take part with all actors from the French sports movement! Laurence Fischer, Sports Ambassador
Promoting French positions
In collaboration with the Sports Ministry, the Sports Ambassador will continue to support and promote French positions on major sports-related issues such as governance and ethics, as well as combating drug use, match fixing and discrimination in sport. This action takes place within international sporting bodies but also international bodies where these themes are debated: UN, UNESCO, European Union, OECD, Council of Europe.
Organizing major sporting events opens up huge opportunities for France. Sports competitions are big events in terms of economic attractiveness and outreach. They attract many tourists and new clientele to tournament host cities.
Before the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris in 2024, France will stage many world championships, including the School Summer Games in 2022 and the Rugby World Cup in 2023. All these events will showcase the best of France’s regions to the world. They will also be an exceptional window into French innovation and expertise in many sectors (e.g. public services, transport, environment, buildings, sport, digital technology, tourism, healthcare).
These competitions also demonstrate the diversity of France’s regions and promote sporting values, particularly to young people.
Updated: June 2021