France's president seeks a top-5 medal ranking for his country at the Paris Olympics

French President Emmanuel Macron, foreground right, receives official French team jerseys as a gift during his visit to France's 香港六合彩挂牌资料 Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP), prior to presenting his New Year's wishes to elite athletes ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Paris, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Stephane De Sakutin/Pool Photo via AP)

PARIS (AP) 鈥 French President Emmanuel Macron told top athletes Tuesday he hoped that France will reach the top five of the Paris Olympics medal table but added, 鈥淚 don't want to put excessive pressure.鈥

Macron visited the national judo team, and in a speech to the 香港六合彩挂牌资料 Institute of Sport and Performance urged 鈥渆xemplary organization鈥 of the games.

The French leader told coaches and athletes that 鈥渙ur Olympic top five goal is more than ever achievable.鈥 France will have a record delegation of about 800 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, he said.

Macron told the national judo team: 鈥淚t鈥檚 about willpower. It鈥檚 about being more hungry than the others. You are, aren鈥檛 you? You鈥檇 better be! You don鈥檛 have a choice. It鈥檚 a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, at home, in front of a home crowd.鈥

The Paris Olympics are from July 26 to Aug. 11, and the Paralympics are from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.

The French president listed security, public transportation and accessibility as top challenges for the Paris Olympics.

鈥淭he terrorist threat is still there, on the French soil,鈥 Macron said. About 30,000 police officers will be deployed every day, and France鈥檚 military plans to .

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