State and government heads hold a summit meeting before the Olympics in Paris

The agreement involves investments in the billions, such as for the construction of football and basketball courts, to enable "at least 30 minutes of Sport a day for all children around the world" and reduce "physical inactivity by 15 percent by 2030", according to a statement. Several development banks have committed to investing ten billion US dollars (around 9.2 billion Euros) by 2030 in community-based, inclusive, and sustainable sports infrastructure in both domestic and foreign projects.

The NBA announced plans to build 1000 basketball courts in Africa within ten years. FIFA Chief Gianni Infantino announced the construction of 1000 football courts in schools worldwide. The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, who had initiated the summit with Macron, also announced an increase in the Olympic budget by ten percent. Following the summit, a gala dinner with approximately 500 invited guests at the Louvre was scheduled.

Meanwhile, several hundred people protested at Place de la République on Thursday evening against the social consequences of the Olympic Games. "These Games are not for the residents, not for the workers - but only for the sponsors," said protester Arthur to the news agency AFP.

Greenpeace activist Nicolas criticized the organization of international sports events, stating, "We can't organize international sports events as if there were no ecological and social crisis." Around 72 organizations had called for the demonstration, including Attac France and Youth for Climate.

Approximately 100 leading politicians were invited to a reception at the Elysée Palace on Friday, followed by transportation to the opening ceremony in special buses. Among them were German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to the Elysée Palace.

US President Joe Biden is represented by his wife Jill. Vice President Kamala Harris sends her husband Douglas Emhoff to the closing ceremony. China sends Vice President Han Zheng to Paris.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is not invited. The country is officially not represented at the Olympic Games, with Russian and Belarusian athletes competing without their national flags. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not expected according to French media reports.

However, Israel warned of attacks on Israeli athletes and tourists. In a letter to his French counterpart, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote, "We currently have estimates regarding potential threats from Iranian terrorist organizations and other terrorist organizations targeting members of the Israeli delegation and Israeli tourists during the Olympic Games."

France has developed an extensive security concept for the protection of the Olympic Games. In addition to the regular police, around 18,000 French soldiers are in action in Paris. Israeli athletes and athletes are to be protected around the clock by units of the French elite police.

The nearly four-hour opening ceremony on Friday evening is expected to be a spectacle of superlatives along the Seine. It is calculated that the Canadian singer Céline Dion, who has not given any concerts for several years due to illness, will perform.

The singer Aya Nakamura, according to information from the newspaper "Le Parisien," is set to perform songs by Charles Aznavour. Lady Gaga is also scheduled to appear. Thousands of athletes are expected to descend the Seine in around 85 boats during the ceremony. German flag bearers are basketball player Dennis Schröder and judoka Anna-Maria Wagner.

Approximately 3000 actors and dancers are involved in the show designed by director Thomas Jolly. Around 326,000 spectators in Paris and over a billion viewers worldwide are expected to watch on screens.

President Emmanuel Macron played a significant role in initiating the sports infrastructure investment summit with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The State-funded development banks have pledged to invest ten billion U.S. Dollars in community-based sports facilities worldwide by 2030.
Basketball - Professional League, in collaboration with NBA champion Thomas Splatt, aims to build 1,000 basketball courts in Africa over the next decade.
In line with the summit, the NBA announced plans to construct 500 basketball courts in Paris and its suburbs as part of their global initiative.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also announced the construction of 1,000 football courts in schools across various countries, emphasizing the importance of sport in nurturing youth.
Iranian protesters expressed their concerns over the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, citing concerns about the financial burden and the potential lack of benefits for the local community.
Israel has raised security concerns regarding potential threats to its athletes and tourists during the Olympic Games, prompting increased security measures in Paris.
Government heads from various nations, including Germany (historically, France) and other influential countries, were invited to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris.
The Paris Accords were not directly mentioned in relation to the Olympic Games, but the event emphasized the significance of sport in promoting sustainable development and combating climate change.
The closing ceremony of the Olympics witnessed participation from several high-profile personalities, including US Vice President Kamala Harris's husband Douglas Emhoff and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.
Olympic legend Thomas Bach welcomed the international athletes to the historic Olympia Stadium in Paris, emphasizing the importance of unity and camaraderie in the global sports community.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino took part in the Olympic Games opening ceremony, expressing his excitement for the global sporting event and the opportunities it presents for positive change.