Martial and friendly meeting between Cuban athletes and young judokas from Seine-Maritime, Wednesday May 8, at the departmental dojo of Forges-les-Eaux. ©Benot Pradier Peace, friendship and respect, these have been the fundamental values of the Olympic Games since their creation more than a century ago by Pierre de Coubertin. At each edition, they are an opportunity for meetings and exchanges between athletes from all countries as well as between people. A good example is that experienced by the judokas of Seine-Maritime on May 8 and 9, in Forges-les-Eaux: nearly 200 practitioners from across the region had the opportunity to train with a delegation from the team. nationality of Cuba.
The Cuban judo delegation is in Seine-Maritime until May 19 to prepare for the world championships which are taking place at the end of May in the United Arab Emirates and to obtain the last tickets for the Paris 2024 Games. For this preparation course, it has took up residence at the departmental dojo of the spa town. Wednesday May 8 and Thursday May 9, at the initiative of Jacques Lemaître, a great figure in judo in Seine-Maritime who notably trained David Douillet (double Olympic champion and quadruple world champion) and Angélique Quessandier (bronze medalist at the 2004 Paralympic Games and 2008 as well as the 2006 Worlds), two major afternoons of meetings were organized on the tatami mats of the departmental dojo and allowed judokas, young and old, to practice with great champions. “ All the athletes who came to France are Cuban champions and Pan-American champions », Underlines Anelin Dayris Rodriguez, mental trainer of the Cuban team.
During these two meetings, Cuban athletes willingly took part in the game, offering demonstrations of their professional training and making themselves available to participants to practice with them, including the youngest. “ I am very impressed by the enthusiasm of the children, it is a great experience of transmission », Reacted Dayle Ojeda, Cuban judokate (+78kg category). For Felix Portuondo, 6th dan in judo and technical director of the Cuban selection, these moments are enriching. “ France is one of the greatest judo nations, it is a model. This sport is very popular therehe explains. And here, in Normandy, we are in very good conditions. We are very satisfied and confident for the future. »
A true rear base for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Seine-Maritime will host other Olympic teams between now and this summer’s Olympics. Among which: the French fencing team which will also take up residence at the departmental dojo of Forges-les-Eaux for a training course in July, also the French basketball team which will play a preparation match at the start of July at Kindarena, as well as the Mexican and Moroccan gymnastics teams and the Saudi swimming team.
2024-05-13 07:44:31
#SeineMaritime #rear #base #Paris #Games
