The doors of Clairefontaine Castle are rarely open to foreign visitors during Blues gatherings. But for around ten great champions, future athletes of Paris 2024, the French team made an exception. On this Tuesday, September 6 of international week, Arnaud Assoumani and Magda Wiet-Hénin, accompanied by nine other Olympic and Paralympic athletes, were able to interfere in the daily life of Didier Deschamps’ gang for an afternoon.
This meeting, organized by the CNOSF, was to allow athletes to share their experiences and learn from them for their respective careers. After a visit to the facilities and a press conference by Aurélien Tchouaméni, a discussion time of around twenty minutes allowed Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, Didier Deschamps and Guy Stephan to take an interest in the preparations of their compatriots. in view of the next Games.
Kylian Mbappé and Magda Wiet-Hénin. Photo Simon Morcel/FFF Simon Morcel
“We all felt a sort of closeness,” says Magda Wiet-Hénin, taekwondo world champion last June. They took the time to listen to us, to talk to us, while they were playing a few days later. But they were friendly, attentive, very interested in talking with other athletes. It was really nice. »
“There is clearly a desire” for the Blues to participate in the Games
The Blues are very interested in the Olympic Games. They have said it, Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Aurélien Tchouaméni are particularly motivated by the idea of participating in this great celebration of sport with the team now coached by Thierry Henry. However, this does not depend only on them, nor on the French team, but above all on their clubs, who must agree to release them. However, hearing about the athletes’ Olympic experience was of particular interest to them.
“Kylian is crazy about sport, he watched everything, the Olympic Games as well as the Paralympic Games,” underlines Arnaud Assoumani, multiple medalist in athletics at the Paralympic Games. We don’t know if he and Antoine Griezmann will participate but there is clearly a desire. They are truly inspired by high-level athletes, those who complete their project. »
“We understand each other perfectly”
Conversely, Olympic and Paralympic athletes were also able to learn from the experiences of their counterparts by asking them the questions they desired. Magda Wiet-Hénin, just world champion, asked Kylian Mbappé in particular how he remained motivated after his world title in 2018. “At the moment, I’m wondering what I can look for to have that extra motivation, explains the taekwondoist. And he told me that what excited him was having a second star. It was very inspiring to chat with people who have the same life as us. »
Ultimately, it was a meeting between people who understood each other perfectly that took place. Because all these athletes have gone through the same struggles, the same disappointments, the same joys. “When we shared our experiences, we all understood what we were going through,” confirms Arnaud Assoumani. Training hard for your passion, making sacrifices and having incredible moments, we all experience it. When we arrive around the table, we understand each other perfectly. »
Create a common French team
As the Paris 2024 Games approach, these meetings should increase. The desire of the Olympic committee is to create a global French team, with all sports combined. “There was a moment when Kylian explained that we were one and the same team, that we had the same goal: to win,” says Magda Wiet-Hénin. We feel that there is real cohesion, that we are a great French team. There is enthusiasm among all the athletes, we will all follow each other very closely. »
A feeling shared by Arnaud Assoumani, who finds these exchanges fascinating and instructive. “Sharing experience is fundamental,” believes the long jump specialist. This is how teams progress, how individuals progress and how things can click. We learn a lot from others. And you can’t imagine how rewarding and motivating these kinds of meetings are. It is this fraternity between sportsmen and women that will shape tomorrow’s successes. » A way, perhaps, to climb to the top of the medal table this summer.
