Amélie Oudéa-Castéra believes in the French delegation to break records in Milan. A few days before the 2026 Olympics (February 6 to 22), the director of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) returned this Saturday to the microphone of RMC on French ambitions in Italy.
“The goal is top 5,” she claimed. I hate to speak in absolute terms (in number of medals) but we have to get +50% of medals compared to our usual profile. » The former minister is mainly aiming for gold medals, the most important in the ranking, and hopes to increase the record of 15 charms, obtained in 2014 and equaled in 2018.
For this, the Blues will have to surf the biathlon, a discipline in which the medals are numerous and both men and girls dominate. “This team is exceptional,” relishes Oudéa-Castéra. But we also have very strong athletes in alpine, in ski mountaineering…” The former tennis player also recalls that France should benefit from the low number of Russians and Belarusians present, with a tiny contingent of 20 athletes from these countries involved in the conflict with Ukraine.
“The United States and Norway are hard (to compete with), she analyzes. Afterwards, we are several European nations in one pocket handkerchief. Italy will be pushed at home, there are also the Germans, the Swiss, the Dutch…” So many nations with which the French delegation will have to compete to reach this top 5. In 2022, its 14 medals, including 5 coronations, had placed it tenth. The margin is therefore enormous, even though it has not reached the top 5 since 1968 (3rd in Grenoble) and the top 6 since 2002 (in Salt Lake City).
“A lot of things are progressing well” for the 2030 Olympics
The former Minister of Sports was also questioned about sports news. She particularly welcomed the fact that “many things are progressing well” in the organization of the 2030 Olympics in the Alps. While regretting “the instability at COJOP” (Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games) and asking for “a cultural synthesis between certain 2024 teams and the specificity of the mountains. »
Asked about the speaking of French Victor Wembanyama on the ICE, the director of the CNOSF praised the basketball player’s commitment. The Spur notably said it was “horrified” by the actions and the climate imposed by the violent American immigration police.
“He said it with enormous intelligence and maturity,” appreciated Oudéa-Castéra. He did not want to expand because he knows that the context is particular. He synthesized extremely well, he took risks, was courageous and said what was in his heart without adding more. He explained it perfectly and I find it a great inspiration for our athletes on these issues. »
