Paris' Anne Hidalgo was due to make her first international appearance at the 44th European Olympic Committees General Assembly, taking place today and tomorrow, but withdrew following the series of coordinated attacks last Friday (November 13) which left at least 130 people dead.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also abandoned plans to attend to show his solidarity with Hidalgo and also because he did not want to be seen taking advantage of her absence, officials claim. 

Paris' Deputy Mayor Jean-Francois Martins is representing the city in Hidalgo's absence.

He claimed that the attack on city, which has not hosted the Olympics since 1924, has strengthened the determination of the French to host the Olympics.

"We have to shout more than ever about things we care about,like culture and sport," Martins told insidethegames. 

"More than ever we have the resolve that a society like ours needs to host these big events."

Each bid city is officially only allowed two representatives at this event but Paris, like its European rivals Budapest, Hamburg and Rome, have been able to send more under the umbrella of its respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs). 

All five bidders have this week been in Lausanne to attend the 2024 Candidature Process Workshop organised by the International Olympic Committee.

Paris' delegation in the Czech Republic capital also includes Bernard Lapasset, Paris 2024 Co-President and head of World Rugby, and International Olympic Committee member Guy Drut, the Montreal 1976 gold medallist. 

"We are honoured to be here in Prague for the EOC General Assembly and we are delighted to have the opportunity to discuss our vision for Paris 2024 with key stakeholders in the Olympic Movement," said Lapasset.

“We have been finalising our proposed venues and we recently confirmed the location for our Olympic and Paralympic Games Village and Media Village and our plans for the 2024 Games are advancing well.

"We are here to listen and learn from NOC colleagues in Europe and the Olympic Family as we process these key decisions – ensuring NOCs are offered the best environment to prepare their athletes for world class performances."

Los Angeles 2024 are represented here by its chair Casey Wasserman and Janet Evans, a four-time Olympic swimming gold medallist. 

Evans is the vice-chair of Los Angeles 2024 and also its director of athlete relations.

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