France–United States relations between France and the United States became friendlier after Nicolas Sarkozy was elected President of France in 2007. Sarkozy, who has been called "Sarko the American", has said that he "love[s] America" and that he is "proud of his nickname". In 2007, Sarkozy delivered a speech before the U.S. Congress that was seen as a strong affirmation of French–American ties; during the visit, he also met with President George W. Bush as well as senators John McCain and Barack Obama (before they were chosen as presidential candidates). Obama and McCain also met with Sarkozy in Paris after securing their respective
France at the 1996 Summer Olympics France at the 1996 Summer Olympics France competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States. 299 competitors, 197 men and 102 women, took part in 183 events in 25 sports. In France's sixth appearance in modern Olympic archery, defending gold medallist Sebastien Flute was defeated in the first round of elimination. Fellow veteran Severine Bonal was also defeated early, while Lionel Torres reached the quarterfinal. The men's team was defeated in the first round. Women's Individual Competition: Men's Individual Competition: Men's Team Competition: Men's 1,500 metres Men's 3,000 metres Steeplechase Men's Decathlon Men's Hammer Throw Men's 20 km