PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron celebrated his country’s success at the Olympics and turned the tables on Jimmy Fallon, who hosted Sunday night’s closing ceremony.
Macron said that unlike Fallon’s sketches, modern France brought more than “just baguette and Camembert” to the Olympics, expressing pride in how the French people brought their own traditions and enthusiasm to show the world what a great nation it can be.
He joked that Fallon, the host of NBC’s “Tonight Show,” “is a roommate” at the Élysée Palace in a nod to Fallon’s lighthearted request to stay there after he learned of his role closing out the Games.
Speaking with NBC News at the presidential palace in Paris on Sunday, Macron expressed optimism about the potential for the global community to “do great things” together. He said he even appreciated the jokes about French clichés because France was able to show its unique landscapes, heritage and culture over the last two weeks.
“And for me, what’s very important is that our people, our athletes and, more than that, our capacity to organize and the French public’s capacity of enthusiasm did provide to the rest of the world,” Macron said. “The fact that we are a great nation able to welcome the rest of the world, being in fraternity with the rest of the world and engaging all together and delivering such a positive message.”
The ever-present displays of heritage and national pride make it difficult for him to pick just one favorite moment from the 2024 Paris Games. Macron did mention a few standouts, such as the opening ceremony on the Seine and the 22-year-old French swimmer Léon Marchand’s haul of gold medals.
“But more than that, this is an atmosphere,” Macron said. “Yes, the fact that we delivered something great for the world and ... we make it iconic all together.”
He said he didn’t have any advice for the American organizers who are working to host the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He advised simply to “be yourself” and said anything is possible.
Macron revealed behind-the-scenes moments of desperation on the first day when the French railways were hit by an unprecedented attack and rain poured down on the opening ceremony.
“Some people were desperate and saying it will be a nightmare,” he said. But in a moment of inspiration for him, he said, the performers carried on with even more energy because of the rain.
“And this is exactly the message: With audacity and tenacity, nothing will stop us,” Macron said. “We will make it.”
Paris hosted the Games just weeks after France was plunged into deep political tensions, with Macron calling for a national vote in the wake of far-right leaders gaining ground in the wider European elections. The country now has a divided Parliament as the left fought Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally while failing to gain its own majority.
The U.S. is approaching its own major national election as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump fight for the White House. Asked how important the American vote is to the rest of the world, Macron said the U.S. leadership sets a tone for many other countries.
“I speak from the country which had a lot of crisis, a lot of doubt,” he said. “And all our democracies are going through a unique period of our lives and our societies.”
But using U.S. athletes as an example, he praised them not just for their impressive medal count and sportsmanship, but also for the values they displayed on the world stage.
“I would never dare to give advice to somebody in your country, but I think it should clearly send a message that big things with fraternity and joy are still possible in our world.”
Keir Simmons reported from Paris and Doha Madani from New York City.
