Althéa Laurin, the new French taekwondo star, once again took the steps this Thursday. Not those of a podium in Tokyo, but those leading to the stage installed on the Place du Trocadéro in Paris (16th century), for the duration of the Olympics, at the initiative of the French Olympic committee and the organizers of the 2024 Games. The very recent bronze medalist is the first decorated French athlete to have presented herself there.
All smiles, wrapped in a blue-white-red flag as during her success on the tatami at Makuhari Messe against her Ivorian opponent, she looked back on her Olympic experience with the greatest serenity. In total agreement with the image sent to the whole world during his fights in excess of 67 kg. “The first rounds are always those where the pressure is overwhelming, and as the competition progresses we discover more strength and courage, therefore more calm,” she confides. She then admits to having been lucky in some way. Because if the pandemic had not led to the postponement of the Olympics for a year, history might have been written differently. “I don’t think I would have been part of the federal project, because I was too young (Editor’s note: she was born in September 2001), she notes. The qualifying tournament would have happened prematurely and I would certainly have lacked experience.”
She then joined her small group of fans, for a photo and autograph session, and especially her 17-year-old little brother, Kenjy, a surprise guest at the event. Since Wednesday evening, she has returned to her family cocoon to find her bearings and celebrate her medal. And this Thursday evening, she’s doing it again. “We are all going to come together to celebrate my medal, even though we have already started well,” she smiles. The hardest part for her was her separation from her family. “But in the end, it was worth it,” she adds.
The French athletes participating in the Games must leave Japan 48 hours after the end of their events, most of them will come to the Trocadéro as soon as they return to Paris.
