Judo: judo news in France and around the world /
Article / Wednesday, January 19, 2022 / source: alljudo
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Paris 2024 is already tomorrow. In what framework will the judo events take place? what will be the face of the France team? Here are some benchmarks.
A few months after the good harvest obtained in the land of judo (number of medals), the French team is already looking towards the 2024 Olympic Games. A unique chance, the opportunity of a lifetime for French athletes in general, and for judokas in particular.
The emblem of French judo, Teddy Riner has decided to extend the adventure to try to get the third Olympic title that eluded him in Tokyo. France can dream of a new double in the heavyweight category, as in 2016, with the advent of Romane Dicko. And above all, she will try to keep her team title, in an atmosphere that is already giving the shivers.
As in Tokyo last summer, there is no doubt that in Paris, judo will be one of the sports most followed by the press, by spectators and also by fans of betting in Canada and elsewhere.
The most beautiful sites in Paris
Following the awarding of the Olympic Games to Paris 2024, the Organizing Committee and the City of Paris affirmed their desire to use ephemeral buildings and to build only in cases of extreme need, with the obligation to leave a positive legacy to the places encountered. This will be the case, for example, of the Olympic village of Saint-Denis, which will subsequently provide a multitude of social housing, as will the Olympic swimming pool, allowing the many inhabitants of the surrounding area to benefit from a new infrastructure after the passage of the best swimmers. of the planet.
The most majestic buildings in Paris will be honored by hosting stands and temporary structures. This will be the case, for example, at the Palace of Versailles, which will host the equine sports events, or even the Invalides, where the various archery events will take place.
Judo for its part will settle in the Arena du Champ-de-Mars, also called “Grand Palais Ephémère”. It is within this 10,000m² infrastructure that can accommodate more than 8,000 spectators that judokas and also wrestlers will try to win the Olympic Holy Grail. The hall will also host wheelchair rugby a few weeks later during the Paralympic Games.
A temporary arena
Set up on the Champ-de-Mars at the start of 2021, opposite the military school, its aesthetics and shape, designed by the architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, echo those of the Grand Palais. Composed of sustainable materials, and in particular wood, the Arena will be dismantled a few weeks after the end of the Olympic Games, thus fully respecting the environmental objectives of Paris 2024.
Already present around the Champ de Mars since the beginning of 2021, it fits perfectly into the landscape of the capital, thus validating the choice of the organizing committee. While waiting for the Olympic Games, it will host the events of the Grand Palais during its renovation, as well as several international sporting events.
French judokas dream of exploits
Major nation of world judo, the France team will have a unique opportunity to shine on its land, as has been the case each time it has hosted a major championship. For the record, during the world championships organized in Paris, she had won five medals, including four titles in 2011 and nine medals, including four titles in 1997. In teams, she had done the girls-boys double in 2011, and she had won women’s gold and the men’s bronze in 2006, after taking out Japan in the quarterfinals.
The women’s team will certainly be impressive, and in the wake of Clarisse Agbegnenou, France will present six fighters capable of being Olympic champions, like Olympic vice-champions Amandine Buchard, Sarah-Léonie Cysique and Madeleine Malonga.
Among the boys, with the exception of Teddy Riner, it is more difficult to know what will be the face of a team which is at the crossroads between the old and the new generation. For men, the appointment of Paris 2024 is already given and the race is on to become the number one in France.
