The show of public support comes after the French capital was picked by the governing body to host the 2020 European Athletics Championships last week.

Paris is competing against American city Los Angeles for the right to host in 2024 but European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen claimed it was not simply a case of backing the continent's contender.

"It is not just a question of Paris being the sole European candidate and the fact that continental sports organisations should back each other in this respect," said the Norwegian.

"I am very happy, both personally and on behalf of European Athletics, to give my full backing and support to the Paris bid for the 2024 Olympic Games.

"Paris excels in its technical facets relating to how it will host the various sports although our interest is based around the fact that if it wins athletics will be the focal point of the Games.

"What is particularly impressive is the Paris 2024 commitment to sustainability, which is a very important area of interest to European Athletics.

"I understand that Paris 2024 recently became the first ever Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee to receive an internationally recognised sustainability award only given to organisers who are able to the guarantee the sustainable management of their events.

"This ethos mirrors that of the Paris 2020 European Athletics Championships, which is also placing sustainability centre stage, something we have been pushing our organisers to do for a number of years through our green inspiration concept.

"Should Paris be awarded the 2024 Olympic Games, the 2020 European Athletics Championships will provide a wonderful opportunity for the organisers to go through their paces in all areas, not least technically and environmentally, four years in advance of the city staging the world’s greatest sports event."

It's great to have this support for our bid #Paris2024 #MadeForSharing https://t.co/csU6iJOj2U

— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) May 3, 2017

Paris was the only bidder for the 2020 European Championships after Georgia's capital Tbilisi pulled out last year.

They are scheduled to be held between August 26 and 30, just 17 days after the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will elect a host for 2024 at its Session in Peruvian capital Lima on September 13.

However, there is increasing speculation that the IOC may award the 2024 and 2028 Games at the same time.

Both Paris and Los Angeles have insisted they are only interested in the early edition. 

"We are thrilled that European Athletics has lent its strong support to Paris 2024 and our bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Paris 2024's co-chairman Tony Estanguet.

"We welcome the comments from President Svein Arne Hansen and believe Paris is the perfect partner to showcase the very best of athletics in our iconic city as part of an incredible celebration of sport in 2024.

"Paris continues to prove that it has what it takes to stage spectacular, world-class events and we are particularly pleased that our efforts to create a truly sustainable Games - the first in line with the Paris Agreement – are being recognised globally by those within the sporting community."