They had programmed their season to win titles or prepare for major sporting events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games, here they are in the dark. “At the moment, my world ranking does not allow me to go to Tokyo to compete in the Olympics. I will have a possibility of qualifying by realizing a good performance during the European championships. However, is was to take place last April but has been postponed. I continue to train, it’s frustrating. We are a bit regulated like machines so it is important to keep a certain routine ”, explains Dora Tchakounte, weightlifter (-59kg) of the VGA Saint-Maur, who lifts 114 kg in the jerk and 95 kg in the snatch. Since 2019, the young woman has spent two times a week with the teams of the Departmental Council’s sports service, a way for her to discover their missions and why join them one day, since a clause in her contract allows her to be integrated. .
Other athletes already prefer to focus on the Paris Olympics in 2024 such as Tiavo Randrianisa, taekwondoist from COSM Arcueil. “Due to a knee injury I could not rank well enough for Tokyo, I am now training with the goal of being on top for the 2024 Games at home. I am leaving with the French team for training next week to prepare for the European Championships in December in Bosnia. With the Covid, we have to be a little more careful and apply a protocol, we must disinfect our equipment, respect barrier gestures», Summarizes the athlete who would like to work later in sports education and multiplies the discovery courses with the services of the department related to youth and early childhood.
Some have decided to take the current situation with philosophy, like the track rider Grégory Baugé (US Créteil) Olympic medalist and collecting the World and European championships. “During the first confinement, we could not go out, we had to train on an exercise bike, pay attention to weight gain, it has nothing to do with what we can do in a velodrome or in the weight room. This time, we can train under normal conditions. We are like Formula 1 cars, adjusted to the millimeter so it is not easy to project ourselves with this risk that the Covid represents. Even if we are competitive and ambitious, health comes first», Recognizes the cyclist who has been linked to the Val-de-Marne Departmental Council since he was 18 years old. “Over the years, I have forged links with the agents, it allows you to keep your feet on the ground and see something other than your sport. I do not regret having made this choice on the advice of my father because I had the opportunity to turn professional and everything could have ended for an injury.»
Multi-crowned athletes, French number 1 in their discipline, hopes for success, Val-de-Marne is a breeding ground for top-level athletes and the department has been supporting them since 1986.
«Whatever our budgetary difficulties, we wanted to continue our proactive sports policy with around 10 million euros per year, both for high-level athletes and for amateur practice with its 230,000 licensees and hundreds of clubs.”, Summarizes Christian Favier, president of the Departmental Council of Val-de-Marne.
Among these athletes, we also find one of the best squash player in the world several times titled in a grand slam tournament, Camille Serme (US Créteil), the diver of the VGA Saint-Maur, fourth at the Rio Olympics and champion of the ‘Europe, Benjamin Auffret, handisport rower Antoine Jesel (Aviron Marne et Joinville) bronze medalist in the World and European Championships, Amandine Buchard, world n ° 1 judokate in the -52kg category (Red Star Club Champigny), junior world champion and European team champion, Luka Mkheidze, judoka -60kg from Sucy judo, French junior champion and several international podiums and Sarah Adidou, taekwondoist (-49 kg) from the Champigny Sporting Club Academy, medalist at the university world championships and participating in international competitions in its discipline.
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