Barriers, security guards, reception tents, signage… The Olympic Aquatic Center officially came to life for the general public this Friday morning with the opening of the artistic swimming World Cup stage.
An audience composed mainly of swimmers, a few dozen noisy French supporters and numerous classes of children from Seine-Saint-Denis who came to discover a discipline that they do not often have the opportunity to follow.
And see, symbolically, the first blue-white-red athlete to dive competitively in the Dyonisian basin. In an essentially female sport, it was indeed Quentin Rakotomalala who opened the ball for the Bleu(e)s in the men’s technical solo. With unfeigned emotion as we emerge from the water for this fleeting moment of history.
“It’s clear that there is really a particular pride,” smiles the Marseillais, licensed in Pays d’Aix swimming. First of all, swimming here is something great. So, being the first man… I took full advantage of the moment, I took everything there was to take and it was really great. A special moment. » The bronze medalist of the 2022 European Championships felt very small under the large wave of wood which crowns the building opposite the Stade de France.
“The infrastructure is impressive,” he confides. And the pool is very, very big. A 50 m pool when you’re alone… It’s complicated to find your way in space and you don’t have anyone to line up with. And the sound underwater is incredible! » The young man did not think he would have so much morning encouragement for a specialty which still remains confidential (he took 6th place out of 8 entrants). “Normally, there aren’t many people,” he admits. But there I heard people shouting my name and it was cool. »
As a wink, the Provençal and his coach chose a remix of “J’ai deux amours” by Joséphine Baker to punctuate his performances this season. “It’s symbolic. We really chose this music to mark the occasion this year, he explains. I really like Paris and we wanted something that would stand out and make sense. »
Unlike the girls who supported him from the stands reserved for competitors, the Habs will not see Paris in August. There is no men’s Olympic event and although boys can now take part in ballet, it will not be part of the summer adventure.
“But there is only joy and no bitterness,” he says. It was still a great opportunity to swim here and show my solo before the European Championships in Belgrade (mid-June). » In Serbia, Quentin Rakotomalala will aim for a podium. His own Games.
