Did you see the opening ceremony for the 2014 Sochi Olympics? Did you notice that on our American broadcast we heard the English, Russian (as would be expected), and…en français (in French)?!
That’s because French, along with English, is one of the official languages of the Olympics. It is also one of the most common languages used in Europe.
Wikipedia explains how they announce the participants in the Olympic “Parade of Nations”: “Announcers announce each country’s name in English and French, as they both are the official languages of the Olympics, and the dominant language of the area of the host city, if neither English nor French are the dominant languages.”
Take a look: France’s Olympics website
In the news: France’s Martin Fourcade Wins Gold (biathlon)
Keep an eye out for more French Olympians and medal wins!