“The medal is really very beautiful. Can we touch her? »Asks a mother at the Bobigny sports forum (Seine-Saint-Denis), this Saturday afternoon. At the center of his attention: the silver charm around the neck of Anne-Cécile Ciofani, medalist in rugby sevens at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo, and honored by the city. The athlete, member of AC Bobigny 93 Rugby, lent herself to the game of photos with the inhabitants of the town, proud of the success of the one who scored seven tries in Japan, including one in the final lost against New Zealand (26-12).
“I saw almost all the matches, even though it was at night and I was working during the Games,” smiles Arabi, who immortalizes her young daughter with the 27-year-old champion, who started the sport in the town by athletics, before moving on to rugby.
“We fight to be heard”
After Arabi, souvenir photos are linked for the 27-year-old rugbywoman. “I had never experienced this before! she savored. Our sport is relatively unknown, in the shadow of rugby union, and we are also women in a world that is still very masculine. We fight to be heard, so that people see us and receive all this positive feedback, it’s really great. “
The French team included another athlete from Bobigny and member of the club, Nassira Konde. Her teammate says she has experienced a “fabulous” return to France, speaking of the ceremony at the Trocadéro, but also of the enthusiasm in her city. “This is where it all started and when we come back, we see posters with our faces everywhere, everyone congratulates us – even people who don’t know much about rugby – it’s really strong, continues Anne-Cécile Ciofani. When we get people to receive our medal, we realize the magnitude of what we have done. “
“We have a great sense of pride, especially for the entire club training, appreciates the co-president of AC B93, Marc Elia, this Saturday afternoon. We were a little tense until the semi-final. Then we knew it was won for the medal! “After Tokyo, Anne-Cécile Ciofani is already thinking of the Paris Games in three years, with the firm intention of” winning another medal. And why not bring back the gold, this time in the presence of those close to him.
The mayor (PCF), Abdel Sadi, also congratulated the champion, also saying the “pride” of his city to see two athletes return from the Games in Bobigny with this award. Anne-Cécile Ciofani and Nassira Konde will once again be honored on September 19, first at the town hall and then at the Henri-Wallon stadium before the start of the first match of the season, against the French champions. in title, ASM Romagnat (Puy-de-Dôme).
–
