InvestigationFrance wants to be in the top 5 of the most medal-winning nations for the 2024 Olympic Games. An objective deemed unattainable by some at a time when the National Sports Agency, created in 2019 to boost high-level practice, is concentrating the reviews.
Four presidents of sports federations invited to dine with the Prime Minister: the scene is rare. No tie, except for a red model, a unique sartorial fantasy worn by André Giraud, the boss of the French Athletics Federation. On this evening of October 7, Jean Castex wants a relaxed atmosphere, away from the cameras. Listen, in order to try to dispel the discomfort. Because, after the disappointing Tokyo Games, high-level French sport has a hangover.
Around the table sit André Giraud, therefore, 74 years old; Jean-Pierre Siutat, 62, his basketball counterpart; Philippe Bana, 64, who heads handball, and finally Stéphane Nomis, 51, former international judoka. The youngest of the gang, president of the judo “federation”, knows, as a business manager, that it is fashionable to come with a gift. He gives Jean Castex a bib worn in Tokyo by Teddy Riner, the star of the tatami mats. Also invited, the patronesses of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), Brigitte Henriques, 50, and of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF), Marie-Amélie Le Fur, 33, complete the table.
In turn, each evokes their reasons for concern: decrease in the number of licensees due to the pandemic, financial difficulties, autonomy of the federations… Above all, all have in mind the deadline of Paris 2024. These “Centenary Games”, a century after those of 1924 already organized in Paris, and for which France fought so hard. For two weeks, the eyes of the whole world will then be on the capital. Everyone around the table knows that in high places the success of the event will be judged in particular by the number of medals collected. A criterion that may be reductive, but which is binding on everyone. Even if, of course, the organization, the quality of the infrastructures will also count in the final assessment.
Nevertheless: as the economic health of a country is measured by its GDP, the weight of metals acts as a thermometer at the Olympics. And the harvest in Tokyo, with 33 podiums – the worst record since the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 – is very worrying. Barring a miracle, the goal of joining the circle of the five most awarded nations, the famous “Top 5” fixed by Emmanuel Macron, will not be reached. Everyone knows it, but nobody dares to say it too loudly. If he is re-elected in May, the Head of State would obviously like to avoid the snub of a fence of ” his “ Games weighed down by a catastrophic sports record.
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