The 8th edition of the Francophone Games has broken all previous records, with 53 States and governments represented, 3,500 participants including 2,500 contestants, 500 facilitators and 500 officials, 900 accredited journalists including 300 international correspondents, 8 heads of States who attended the opening ceremony, as well as many State and governments senior officials.
Another highlight of the Francophone Games was the quality of all competitors and their willingness to share with one another.
These Games have once again demonstrated the great value and high level of performance of both artists and athletes - which keeps improving edition after edition. Likewise, it has shown the progress of the technical organisation of the cultural contests and sports competitions led by the technical delegates of international sports federations, the presidents of cultural juries and the National Committee for the Francophone Games (CNFJ) site managers. The same goes for the international and national health coverage, as the health, relief and rescue units of the Games have worked very efficiently whenever required.
This year's edition has attracted unprecedented media coverage, which confirms that the Francophone Games now rank among the top international events:
. Some 60 hours of TV broadcast were aired for free across the five continents, including live shows and daily briefings of 5 and 13 minutes, with an estimated audience of 500 million viewers.
. Daily radio broadcasts
. Daily information and updates were posted on the official website and social networks of the Francophone Games, which attracted a growing audience as the event went on. Live streaming was also available on the website of the Games.
. Media had access to high definition pictures and videos, briefings and reports.
As for the atmosphere of the Games, it was marked by a common willingness to share and unite. As an example, the different delegations shared their expectations during the final competitions. This great cohesion was largely due to the impressive performances of all of the winners of the Games, some of whom are already famous, whether from the northern of the southern hemisphere.
The International Committee for the Francophone Games (CIFJ) fully played its role as the supervisor and manager of the whole event. Online registrations, managed by the CIFJ, proved very fruitful, enabling to deliver accreditations to all participants and to develop and extensive database.
Throughout the Francophone Games, their website was a reference for media and delegations, with almost 600,000 visitors who could access:
. Images and videos broadcasted live, as well as daily video briefings on demand
. High definition pictures
. The real time transmission of the results of the competitions
. The official announcement of all podiums
. Information briefings and releases
. An access to practical information
. Daily information and updates on social networks, i.e. Facebook and Twitter
Another key moment of the Games was the artworks (painting, photographs, sculptures) vernissage, which proved very successful in terms of participation and media coverage, as well as owing to the quality of the works presented.
To welcome and host all delegations, Ivorian authorities undertook tremendous efforts to build a beautiful Francophone Games village in Akwaba, within the Ivorian National Institute for Youth and Sports (INJS). They also successfully brought all sports and cultural infrastructures up to standards.
The host broadcaster, the national Ivorian TV Channel (RTI), also fully took on its role, producing high quality images with the support of the CIJF international TV signal experts.
The Games started with a magnificent and spectacular ceremony which will remain engraved in the hearts and minds of those who attended the events and those who watched it on TV.
The event was so popular that each day, all sports and cultural sites were crowded. The Ivorian population was able to celebrate the Games during 10 days and to value the quality of artistic and sports competitions. This 8th edition of the Francophone Games further developed the national pride and cohesion of all Ivorians.
These Games will leave a positive, sustainable legacy to the Ivory Coast in terms of infrastructures, equipment and expertise. Without doubt, the media and economic impact of the Games for the Ivory Coast will contribute to its development.
Images and videos of the best moments of the 8th Francophone Games are available online on the official website - www.jeux.francophonie.org - and social network pages.
The 9th edition of the Francophone Games will take place in 2012 in New Brunswick, Canada, more specifically in Moncton-Dieppe.
Results per discipline, overall ranking and medallists, high-definition pictures and videos are available on www.jeux.francophonie.org and the Francophonie pages on social networks :
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,Google+, Instagram et Snapchat (cijfjeux).
The International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) has 56 member States and governments, as well as 28 observer members. www.jeux.francophonie.org
Contacts
Mahaman-Lawan Seriba, Directeur du CIJF
mahaman-lawan.seriba@francophonie.org
Thomas Gil, Responsable des partenariats, du marketing et de la communication du CIJF
Thomas.gil@francophonie.org / Tél : (+33) 1 44 37 33 56
mediacijf@francophonie.org / cijf@francophonie.org