A press conference was organized on Monday for the return of the four players from Usam Nîmes present at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“When we were in D2, we couldn’t imagine bringing home an Olympic medal one day.” It is with these words that David Tebib, President of Usam Nîmes, opened the press conference, this Monday at L’Imperator, for the return of the four international players present at the Tokyo Olympic Games: Michaël Guigou and Rémi Desbonnet (France), Mohammad Sanad and Ahmed Hesham (Egypt). If on the face of the first two the smile was present after the gold medal won by the France team (among the two substitutes and not having played during the tournament, Rémi Desbonnet is not a medalist), for the two Egyptians the fourth place obtained is a little more painful to take.
Twelve medals
For the occasion, the captain of the Blues took with him the 12 medals won throughout his international career, including the four Olympics (three gold medals and one silver medal). “It allowed me to bring them all out and relive emotions,” he smiles. For his last games, the 39-year-old couldn’t ask for better than this gold medal. “I am proud to have won with this group. We have had some setbacks in recent years which have enabled us to achieve this victory at the Olympic Games,” said Michaël Guigou.
For Rémi Desbonnet, the Japanese epic did not unfold in the same way as his club partner. “I was in a hotel on the edge of the Olympic village. We had the meal in a room for two (with the other replacing Romain Lagarde Editor’s note) and we did not have access to sports facilities the first week. We had to fight for have access to the gym, ”he laments. But the goalkeeper, who was able to join the group in the Olympic Village the day before the final, still retains the positive from this experience: “I can not live it like those who participated but there is gratitude on my part, no frustration. I keep in mind the emotions that these Olympics gave even to the greatest like Michaël, Luc (Abalo) and Niko (Karabatic) and that makes me want to bridge the gap to experience it too.”
Fourth after their defeat against France in the semi-finals (27-23) then against Spain in the match for the bronze medal (33-31), the Egyptians Sanad and Hesham suffer failure and look to the next Olympic Games in Paris, in 2024. “There is satisfaction because it is our best performance in competition but also disappointment because the medal was accessible and that was the objective. It’s hard but we will prepare Paris for the next three years, “says Mohammad Sanad.
Michaël Guigou with his four Olympic medals
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Looking to the new season
Now back from vacation, the four “Usamists” are ready to attack this new season, well almost. “It will take me a few days to get back to it but I am motivated, smiles Michaël Guigou who will retire at the end of the season. I am rather serene for the end of my career and I want to finish this well. last year with Usam. ” “The selection comes with the good performances in club. I am not focused on 2024 but on my recovery with Nîmes”, affirms for his part Rémi Desbonnet. Ahmed Hesham, who has not expressed himself much and does not yet speak French, received praise from his coach Franck Maurice: “I found him transformed physically. He came back with a lot of confidence and he is ready to prove that ‘he has become a top player. ”
Currently in full preparation, Usam is organizing the “Infernal Parnassus Tournament” this Thursday August 26 and Friday August 27. The Nîmes will face Sporting Portugal on Thursday at 8:45 p.m. and Nancy the next day at 8:30 p.m. Entrance is free with compulsory health pass.
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