By Thomas Berthelot
Published on
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Almost a week after the start of Olympic Games, Tokyo rhymes with medal for the sports clubs of Val-de-Marne.
Since Sunday and France’s first gold medal won by the fencer Romain Cannon licensed at VGA Saint-Maur, the podiums are linked for the athletes of the department. Is Val-de-Marne a breeding ground for champions?
Of “happiness” and “pride”
Because it must be said, the Val-de-Marne clubs have won 4 medals out of the 11 won by France since the start of the competition. What is more, 2 out of 3 gold medals come directly from clubs in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés and of Champigny-sur-Marne.
A joy, a pride, a wonder for their presidents. “This is the magic of the Olympics, reacts Magalie Rousseau, the president of the Red Star Club from Champigny-sur-Marne. I am happy for the club and the city. It is a lot of happiness. We love it! “
Same reaction from Jean-François Bedu, his counterpart from VGA Saint-Maur, who qualifies Romain Cannone’s victory as “stratospheric” and “beyond comprehension”.
????????Romain Cannone wins the first French GOLD méd medal!
47th in the world, the French defeat the Hungarian Gergely Siklosi (15-10)▶ ️ Follow the Olympics live: https://t.co/wRM6q9VOGt pic.twitter.com/iSkIOyt6wk
– France tv sport (@francetvsport) July 25, 2021
Hoped-for victories, sometimes unexpected, which reward the multiple efforts of the athletes during the 5 years of preparation, but also the work of the clubs. “There were a lot of sacrifices on their part. We saw them suffer, doubt, train without knowing if the Games were going to be held. We are very proud, ”said Philippe Sudre, president of the judo section of the Red Star Club.
Precisely, let’s come to judo. This sport which brings so much success to the nation with 4 medals gleaned, including the first (in bronze) with Luka Mkheidze from Sucy-en-Brie. Then with Amandine Buchard’s silver medal last Sunday, and Clarisse Agbegnenou’s gold medal on Tuesday morning. The president of the VGA Saint-Maur can only be angels.
“Offer great stability” to athletes
Ranked 8th in the medal ranking, France can therefore thank Val-de-Marne. But what are the reasons for this harvest?
According to the respective presidents of the judo and fencing sections of the two clubs in the department, the quality of the supervision provided to the athletes is one of the strengths. “We’re like a second family,” says Philippe Sudre. They are given daily support, both moral and material, which offers them great stability. “
Words immediately confirmed by Muriel Guillemin, president of the fencing section of VGA Saint-Maur. “In particular, we are setting up a remuneration, which makes it possible to be more serene. They have less to think about and can only focus on their sports results, ”she adds.
The cities and the department in support
Putting them in good conditions would therefore be one of the winning recipes. However, such support is not necessarily the lot of all clubs in the country. Fortunately, these structures are not the only ones able to help athletes.
Municipalities can also provide a framework and ensure that athletes can “work properly”. This is particularly the case of Saint-Maur-des-Fossés which financially supports all those eligible for the Olympic Games.
Romain Cannone thus signs a contract with the city every year. “We put them in the best possible conditions and provide them with the necessary equipment with their clubs,” explains Sylvain Berrios, the mayor of the town.
Sport, the DNA of Val-de-Marne?
In addition to aid, there is no shortage of equipment in Val-de-Marne. With large cities such as Créteil, Saint-maur-des-Fossés or Champigny-sur-Marne, all offering multi-sport infrastructure, and proximity to the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP) located in the Bois de Vincennes, the good results this week should not have to chance.
“The Red Star Club and the VGA are among the best sports clubs in France,” explains Sylvain Berrios. Taken together, all these reasons are proof of our success. “The Val-de-Marne has therefore become over time a land of champions. “There is a very strong sports DNA in the department, with a culture of sport and its values. We don’t necessarily find this everywhere, ”adds Magalie Rousseau.
The Val-de-Marne therefore illuminates the Olympic Games in Tokyo and the competition gives it back. A future craze for fencing or judo may be expected in the coming weeks or months. This is what Jean-François Bedu hopes: “This will make young people want to practice sports with less media coverage. That’s how you get great champions. “
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