As President of the organization Peace and Sport, it was my belief that rather than be absent from the Games, which is to the detriment of the athletes and proves futile in peace efforts, it is more important to be present, both on a sporting and diplomatic level, in order to encourage dialogue. ###>A l’absence, cruelle pour les athlètes et sans effets sur les efforts de paix, je privilégiais une présence aux Jeux, sportive mais aussi officielle, pour favoriser le dialogue.