The London 2012 Olympic Games draw to a close tomorrow, with Team GB having won a record medal haul.

The Olympics have been a great success for their host country, with one minor exception: people have been baffled as to why announcements are made in French first, followed by English. In an English-speaking country, why is this?

Well, it’s because French and English are the official Olympic languages, with French being the official language of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, which is a French-speaking city. French is also used in honour of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a Frenchman who is considered the “father” of the modern Games.

So, if you’re watching the Closing Ceremony tomorrow night, listen out for those French announcements.