In a celebration of the spirit of the Olympic games, Franco-British entente amicale, and student commitment, Entente Cordiale Day hosted an unforgettable evening in the House of Lords Peer’s Dining Room on 18th July 2025. The evening gathered distinguished speakers, alumni of last year’s Entente Cordiale Day Challenge, students, and guests for an event that reflected on ‘Olympics and Paralympics London 2012 and Paris 2024: History, Vision, and Legacy’.
The evening commenced with a warm welcome from the Entente Cordiale Day Association’s Founder, Maître Yves Djimi. Guests made their way to the Peer’s Dining Room and enjoyed a carefully curated menu. Throughout the night, distinguished speakers with close ties to the Franco-British relationship and the spirit of the Olympic Games addressed the attendees.
Lord Soames, a longstanding supporter of Franco-British cooperation, opened the evening with an introductory speech that underscored the importance of continued transnational dialogue, resonating with his family history as the grandson of Winston Churchill.
Général Le Ray’s speech underscored the event’s bilingual and bicultural spirit while sharing his insights on the evening’s theme through his career as a senior military figure and Director of Security for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee.
Following this, the panel discussion invited Dame Katherine Grainger, a decorated Scottish rower and first female chair of the British Olympic Association; Lord Holmes of Richmond MBE, Britain’s most successful Paralympic swimmer and Director of the Paralympic integration for London 2012; Lord Moynihan, a former Olympic athlete and chairman of the British Olympic Association during the run up to the London 2012 Games; and Richard George, the former Director of Transport for the London 2012 Games to discuss the evening’s theme and the importance of sports in the Franco-British relation. The panel was moderated by Sara Menai, a seasoned French journalist reporting in the UK for RFI. The discussion, followed by an insightful Q&A from the audience, sparked a thoughtful exchange.
Dame Grainger concluded the evening with a powerful speech, whose reflections on leadership and public service inspired the audience. The evening then transitioned into a more relaxed networking session where participants had the chance to exchange on the stimulating ideas that were raised and form long-lasting connections.
This landmark event not only celebrated the Franco-British friendship and the Olympic values but also showcased the powerful things one can achieve when involving students and inspiring figures to share their experiences.
