This is not trivial. With the exception of disciplines such as running, trail running or triathlon, there are few sports competitions that mix professional and amateur athletes. However, it is the very essence of the indoor world archery circuit (Indoor World Series), which is stopping off this weekend in Nîmes. One of two historic events, created in 1997 and inspired by the most prestigious, initiated in 1962 in Las Vegas. “Thanks to a sponsor, I went there in 1993, I wanted to offer this experience to my best shooters,” says Olivier Grillat, the sports director of the Nîmes club.
He came back with the desire to transpose the concept, to bring together at least twelve European countries and 600 participants, when the American organization now welcomes ten times more. “We started in 1997, Sébastien Flute (Olympic champion in 1992) helped me bring in big names, continues Grillat. We developed, we exchanged with Las Vegas, we joined forces. » This weekend, 1,350 archers from 48 countries are shaking up daily life in the city. In terms of catering accommodation, only the Féria is more important.
Especially since the event changed status when the International Federation understood that its calendar was poor between November and March. Based on the mixture of elitist and popular genres, a circuit was therefore built which now offers five other stages in Lausanne (Switzerland), Luxembourg, Taipei (Taiwan), Rio (Brazil), Nîmes, Merida (Mexico) and Las Vegas. “The goal is for it to be the annual celebration of our sport,” prolong Grilled.
From the age of ten, Manuel followed his father on the shooting range, he grew up with this tournament. “When it started, my father was already taking me to see the greats like Sébastien Flute or the Italian Michele Frangilli who was breaking world records, he remembers. For me, there was already a wow factor! while it was still artisanal. » Although he stopped archery to focus on his studies, the father ended up returning to the Alès club. “I started to apply myself, to get involved in sport. For my 40th birthday, my loved ones offered me registration, thanks Manuel, who had already participated last year. In the qualifying phase, I found myself on a target with an Englishman, an Indian, a Mauritanian who had crazy levels. A few targets from me, there was Jean-Charles Valladont (double Olympic individual vice-champion in 2016 and team medal in 2024), the American Brady Ellison (world no. 1). Obviously, you hang on. It’s a bit like my own World Championships, where I can compete in a set with the Roger Federers of archery. »
For him, it’s a special moment. “It’s a bit scary, he says, laughing. The location and conditions are magnificent, there is electricity on the shooting range. » And even if he did not beat his personal best, he will still negotiate next year with his wife and those close to him to train four to five times a week for two or three months in the hope of increasing his level and further mobilizing those close to him as much as his club, which came to around twenty to encourage him. “Afterwards, I don’t know if it’s specific to archery, but the champions are all incredibly humble, contact is super easy, we can discuss equipment, ask questions about the strings they use…” Grillat deciphers: “We can’t just be spectators, it’s good to share things. For a dynamic community, everyone must feel involved. »
Jean-Charles Valladont, who has been a member of the club for around ten years and won this Nîmes tournament in 2009 and 2017, will not contradict him. “Being up against our usual competitors, French or foreign, but also up against amateurs, that’s the nerve and the spirit of archery, says the double Olympic medalist. This allows us to respect the human aspect of our small, confidential sport. When I started, in my club in Franche-Comté, we already came to Nîmes, we took selfies with the great champions. It’s also what gave me a taste for archery and the desire to win, telling myself that, perhaps one day, I would be in their place. It’s stronger than being behind a TV or in a stand, you create a very strong bond to give passion to people, to young people. »
And then, some reveal themselves. “Everyone can beat everyone, Valladont likes to repeat. Afterwards, high level archers have such regularity, such density that an amateur will have difficulty beating. But the best are not infallible. Especially since an “amateur” who shoots 200 arrows per week in a club, when the pros shoot 500 arrows per day, is capable of a perfect score (30 points) on targets at 18 meters. » It remains rare, but young people were able to shake up the champions, and we later found them in the national team.
