African athletes relieved that there are spectators at the Games

Published on : 22/06/2021 – 11:05

The 68,000 seats at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium will be far from being filled during the next summer games (July 23-August 8). And it will be the same in other competition venues. The local authorities have in fact decided that, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will be no more than 10,000 spectators on a site and that their number must not exceed 50% of the capacity of an enclosure.

For many African athletes, however, this decision is a relief. ” It’s a very good decision, believes Franck Elemba, shot putter from Congo-Brazzaville. It wouldn’t have been easy to be in camera “. The Congolese, who has known the madness of Rio Games in 2016, even shows himself to be a philosopher: ” Already, with 10,000 people in the stadium, it can give good motivation. »

The Beninese Noélie Yarigo, specialist of the 800 meters, also relativizes. ” Since last year, we are used to running without an audience, even if the adrenaline rises when there are spectators. But we will do with the conditions that there are », Assures the one who intends to live his second Olympics.

“Playing with an audience makes a big difference”

Egyptian handball player Mohamed Sanad also tasted Olympic Games with the public, in 2016. The 30-year-old winger, on the other hand, experienced a World Championship in Egypt behind closed doors. He didn’t want to relive such a scenario in Japan. ” Playing with an audience makes a big difference and it’s much better for us as players than playing behind closed doors., he confirms. Unfortunately, only people who live in Japan will be able to attend the Olympics. But I’m still sure the atmosphere will be great and I can’t wait to be at the Games. »

Algerian karateka Lamya Matoub, moved after her recent qualification, regrets that foreign athletes cannot be more surrounded in Tokyo. “ I am very divided, she slips. At first, I am happy not to enter a totally empty gymnasium, which allows me to realize the incredible event that the Olympic Games are. Nonetheless, I am so sad that my family and loved ones cannot accompany me to the biggest competition of my entire life. ».

“We must always remember the risks involved”

Cape Verdean Marcia Lopes, qualified in rhythmic gymnastics, is also preparing to experience her first Olympic Games. And she couldn’t imagine living them without fans. ” In my sport, a performance is not just for judges. It is also for the spectators. We always try to convey something of our routines, we want them to “feel” our routines. ” She adds : ” It’s a great decision to clear from the public. But we must always remember the risks involved. I expect every fan to follow all protective measures so that we can have the best Olympics possible in these strange and difficult times. »

Sudanese Esraa Khogali, who will line up in a single scull (rowing), does not say anything else. ” It’s a good idea [de limiter le nombre de spectateurs, Ndlr] because you have to live with the question of coronavirus so as not to deprive the public of Olympic moments and the pleasures that can be experienced by attending the Games », She concludes.

Interview by Franck Elemba by Éric Mamruth and Noélie Yarigo by Baptiste Flipo,