With a total of 57 medals at the Games, French judo is the 2nd nation in Olympic history. Explanation and points on the economy of tatami mats with Stéphane Nomis, president of France Judo.
Jean-Baptiste Guégan is a member of the Sport Business Observatory, a consultant in the geopolitics of sport, a teacher, lecturer and author in particular of the Geopolitical Atlas of Sport (with Lucas Aubin)
The federation and Teddy Riner have agreed that the judoka will wear the federation kimono (vs own brand ) at the next major international events. Can you come back on what motivates this decision?
Stephen Names: As I have already said and repeated, I think it is absolutely essential that all members of the French team wear the same outfit. It is symbolic above all else. It is a question of belonging and also of fairness. We are passing through the France team, you have to know how to respect the blue jersey. Regarding Teddy, this situation was actually a legacy when we joined the Federation. It’s the fruit of history, and I’m not criticizing anyone for saying that. His situation was brought to light, and it was essential to start by trying to bring him back. He is the legitimate captain of our Team, it is all the more important, less than 1 ½ years from the 2024 Paris Games. I sincerely thank him for his decision.
What does this mean for French judo from an economic point of view?
The direct effect is the symbol. Indirectly, it is the satisfaction of our sponsors, and above all the possibility for us to develop others, for the benefit of judo and the French team. That contracts are respected is a prerequisite for the economic development of the Federation. How do you expect brands to engage with us under these conditions? It does not facilitate the arrival of new sponsors, and it does not make it possible to retain current ones either.
Teddy Riner in Tokyo Panoramic
What is the valuation of the Adidas partnership? What does it represent for the French Federation?
It’s not a question of numbers but above all of respect for the France kimono, being selected for the French judo team is an honor and a source of pride. It is important to remember that this partnership is essential. It is an equipment supplier, and it is a special role in the sponsors that one can have in sport. Adidas dresses all the French teamswith high quality materials. This allows young judokas without income to have a France endowment during their first selections and throughout their career in the France team. In addition, it is a prestigious brand, which has a strong history with French sport and with which we develop other actions in the field, such as the champions’ itinerary or the “Kodomo” mascot, a real icon for our young people. dismissed.
Why does Teddy Riner’s decision, in these complicated times, reaffirm economic solidarity within the elite of French judo, in favor of everyone from top to bottom?
Because solidarity is a strong value of sport in general, and of judo in particular. Young athletes are welcomed in the clubs, in poles then at INSEPand the federal system allows the best to express themselves from an early age, as it still accompanies the most experienced throughout their career in the France team. It has value, we must not forget where we come from. When Teddy does this action, he knows the impact it can have on young people, he understands the situation of the Federation and the France team, beyond his individual case. Its very important.
Clarisse Agbégnénou at the Grévin Museum Panoramic
How is French judo doing today from an economic point of view? How has the economy of the federation evolved since your arrival in business? To what extent have its development and your action encouraged and enabled the French teams to express themselves at a high level? And for the licensee base, what does this financial situation mean?
At the time, the COVID crisis accentuated the Federation’s financial problems, including financial health was not good. The Federation is doing much better today. With my team, we have made it a priority. I am a business manager, I remind you. It is a very structuring element. And we have a team with different skills, varied profiles that have made it possible to move forward on all fronts. Today, we are doing well, the accounts are positive again, and with our 510,000 licensees, we have just exceeded the pre-COVID situation. It’s a huge satisfaction, we’re not going to stop there, it’s our major axis of development. Concerning the French team, the Federation contributes 65% to the high-level budget, the State 35% and the provision of technical staff. This is a very high cost, because the federation takes care of all travel, accommodation, especially for the Grand Slams. Hence the importance of having private sponsors to ensure all these expenses related to the high level.
You started the professional judo league. Can you come back to its sporting usefulness and its usefulness for the economic development of French judo and its clubs?
I am convinced that we are above all a Federation of clubs. I myself was President of Flam 91, this allows me to put myself in the shoes of the clubs as President of the Federation. The international circuit for high performance is oiled, it is the International and/or European Federation that developed it (Grand SlamsEurope and World). But on the territory, apart from the French Championships, we are sorely lacking in competitions for athletes who are at the top level, for clubs, communities, partners and the entire judo ecosystem. That’s the goal, to offer new competitions, to promote judo in the territories, with new formats to boost the economy of clubs and athletes.
1000 Dojos France Judo
At the head of the federation, certain grassroots projects have been launched, such as 1000 Dojos? Can you explain his ambitions and the status of the project?
The 1000 dojos plan is very structuring for the Federation, and corresponds to the heritage that we wanted for French Judo. We realized that there was a direct relationship between the number and location of sports equipment and the level of licensed practice in the territory. Our lowest licensing rate was in low-income neighborhoods. We therefore wanted to repair this injustice, because we want judo to be as inclusive as possible and to fulfill its social function perfectly. We were followed by the State, the Sports Agency, Paris 2024, many communities and private partners in this action. The launch is complex because we are modeling to achieve the objective of the 1000 dojos united. Because it is not only sports practice that is offered in these places, but also a more social activity where citizens can meet for cultural activities, … Today, we are at a hundred dojos under construction and over 400 planned.
A little sport now, what are the sporting ambitions and development prospects of the federation less than 500 days from the Paris Games?
Our sporting ambitions are clear; we want to remain the first French sport to win medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games (as in Tokyo), and remain on the Nations podium at the international level. And may this celebration of 2024 be that of all French judo. We want to continue to increase the number of members, because it is our mission to develop judo everywhere, in all territories and for all audiences. The Federation is on all fronts and does its best on a daily basis to meet all these challenges, I take this opportunity to thank all those who work for French judo.
