French language groups protest English-only Olympic slogan

In this Feb.3, 2017 file photo, the Eiffel Tower lit up with colours for the Paris 2024 bid during the launch of its campaign as candidate for the 2024 Olympic summer games in Paris. (AP / Francois Mori)

PARIS -- Groups defending the French language are lodging legal protests over the English-only slogan used for Paris' 2024 Olympic bid.

Lawyer Emmanuel Ludot said Friday that he has submitted a request with the government's rights defence authority to suspend use of the slogan "Made for Sharing." He also submitted a warning to the bid committee that the slogan could violate a law on protecting the French language.

Ludot says the language groups want the slogan to be in both French and English, or in French only.

Ludot says "we want them to communicate in the language that is ours."

The Paris 2024 bid committee did not immediately comment. The International Olympic Committee will choose in September whether to host the games in Paris, Budapest or Los Angeles.