(NEXSTAR)– As the Olympics continue to unite athletes and countries around the world, the relationship between the United States and France remains strong.
It’s a partnership that has spanned centuries from the Revolutionary War to the challenges of today.
Nexstar’s Marielena Balouris spoke with French Ambassador to the U.S. Laurent Bili about the relationship between the two nations.
“We are the oldest allies. France will always remember also that, you have been there at a very key moment of our history,” Bili said. “We are partners in so many issues. We have so many fights together on different fronts from global challenges, supporting each other.”
This summer, the world has come together through the Olympics, which Bili said is both a challenge and an honor to host.
“It’s a lot of excitement. We want, of course, this game to be unique. It will be 100 years after the last game in Paris,” Bili said. “We are expecting millions of visitors, and we are expecting billions watching the game. So, it’s a chance to, to portray, well to send the nice image of France.”
While he will be tied up with diplomatic engagements in the U.S. during the Games, he’s looking forward to watching the Paralympics, which he saw firsthand, while serving as France’s ambassador to Brazil.
“When I was in Rio, I think it was also one of the richest human experiences that I’ve been living. I was very admiring, the athletes and their resilience,” he said.
Bili hopes those traveling to Paris for the Games have a chance to see the rest of his country.
“There is so many things to see in France that I just want to say to the ones who are just going to Paris that they need to go in the provinces and to see the diversity of our heritage.”
