Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games celebrated 

French ambassador to Namibia Cécile Vigneau on Monday presented her letter of credence to president Nangolo Mbumba.

The next day, she hosted a reception at the French residence to celebrate the closing of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Notable attendees included Namibian National Olympic Committee president Abner Xoagub, National Paralympic Committee vice-president Agnes Hausiku, and star Paralympian Lahja Ishitile and her guide Sem Shimanda, who made history by winning a gold medal in the 200m event and setting a new Paralympic record, as well as a bronze medal in the 400m event.

Other Namibian athletes, including former medalists at the Tokyo, Rio, and London Paralympics, also attended the gathering.

In her speech, the French ambassador highlighted the unifying aspects of the Paris 2024 Olympicand and Paralympic Games, emphasising their success for Paris and France as a whole.

She underscored the highlight given to the Paralympic Games to make them of equal importance to the Olympics, noting how they drew attention to athletes and individuals with disabilities both in France and globally. That was particularly meaningful for Namibia given the performances, past and present, of their Paralympic teams.

Vigneau celebrated the performances of the French teams, as the Olympic and Paralympic delegations ranked fifth and seventh in the final medal tally. She also paid tribute to the champions of the United States, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, and all other delegations that participated in Paris 2024.

As a symbol of continuity and camaraderie, Vigneau extended an encouraging message to her American counterpart in preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

Xoagub, meanwhile, took the opportunity to welcome Vigneau to the Namibian capital, by offering her a painting featuring the portraits of all the Namibian athletes who shined in Paris.

He shared reflections on the exceptional experiences these Games provided for athletes and the entire Land of the Brave team, celebrating Paris as a living dream for all participants.