French envoy dedicates relay event to Türkiye quake victims

By Alaattin Dogru

ANKARA (AA) — The French ambassador to Türkiye dedicated a relay event organized by his country in two Turkish cities ahead of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics to the victims of last month's devastating earthquakes.

In the video message on the "Terre de Jeux 2024," Herve Magro said the race was dedicated to the victims of powerful twin earthquakes that shook southern Türkiye on Feb. 6, leaving over 48,000 dead in the country.

"As an embassy, we dedicate the aforementioned relay race in Türkiye as an expression of our solidarity to our Turkish friends who were affected by the earthquake disaster a few weeks ago. Get well soon, Türkiye," said Magro.

The relay race was held 500 days before the Paris 2024 Olympics in all of France's foreign representations, including its consulate-general in Istanbul and embassy in Ankara.

The relay started in the Turkish metropolis on the coast of the Istanbul Strait this morning before continuing in Ankara, where it began in the central Ulus Square and ended at the hill-top Ankara Castle, after a break at the Anatolian Civilizations Museum.

This year's Terre de Jeux started in Hong Kong and will continue around the world for 24 hours.

* Writing by Selcuk Bugra Gokalp