Tony Estanguet, on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: “We were inspired by London 2012”
He had returned to France the day before. But Tony Estanguet, boss of Paris 2024, was quick to react after the victory of Benjamin Daviet, this Wednesday, in the KO sprint. “And finally, the most beautiful of medals! What a rebound after the first two races, here you are on the top step of the podium. A golden flag bearer! Well done Benjamin », he split on his social networks. Two days earlier, while spending a few days in Beijing, the former three-time Olympic canoe champion (2000, 2004, 2012) spoke about the French team and the Paralympic Games that France was organizing in two respond.
“The day after the opening ceremony, the first event you went to see was that of Benjamin Daviet. A form of solidarity from the brotherhood of flag bearers?
It was important. I know what it is, I know it’s hard (flag bearer in 2008 in China, he also failed in his quest for a 3rd Olympic title). That’s what I told him on arrival (Daviet had finished 4th in the sprint in biathlon) : “Honestly, you shouldn’t minimize the energy you were able to leave in the opening ceremony.” To catch up the next day was ambitious, and even if he felt good, there is the mental influx. “Don’t worry, if you are physically well, so much the better. And the rest will follow.” I was happy to go see him, to discuss with him, I found him conquering, not at all to wash his arms. We need athletes who are sincere, honest with themselves, who don’t hide.
The next day, you were busy on the alpine skiing site, chatting with Arthur Bauchet, who just missed the super-G podium the day after his downhill title, with Marie Bochet, silver medalist after taking off the day before. In China, do you wear the cap of Paris 2024 boss or do you give free rein to your sporting soul?
Both, Captain! Between visits, I’m going to see the Vice-President of the IPC (International Paralympic Committee), the President of the Athletes’ Commission, I have an appointment with the President of the IPC… I’m here with my Paris 2024 because it’s a great opportunity for us, the last cap before the Paris 2024 Games, to take advantage of the presence of all those who will come to take part in our Games and to continue to build a relationship of trust with them, to listen to their comments, to understand their expectations… Everyone tells me: we are going to come to Paris when we get back from here to start finding places to prepare.
But I still keep this former athlete cap because the passion for the games, the passion for sport and his emotions take over. And even if it’s not at all my universe, I am fascinated by these athletes, I find their sports magnificent. I love these sliding sports, speed sports, these balance sports. In the end, there are a lot of points in common with what I have been able to experience in my career. I really enjoy watching them, and supporting them. I am proud of this France team.
“There is the objective of bringing the Paralympic and Olympic Games to the same level (in 2024), with a tailor-made treatment”
What is the feedback from the presidents of the national Paralympic committees that you meet?
We sense a lot of enthusiasm from most of the countries that are planning for Paris 2024. What they have understood, perceived, heard and felt of our ambition around the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games appeals to them. There is, I believe, a general enthusiasm. People project themselves, they can’t wait to come to Paris. Us, it motivates us. On a desire to live up to their expectations. The indicators are rather green, there is a relationship of trust. We have people in our teams who know the Paralympic Games very well. We have set the bar very high in terms of ambitions, with this common logo, this common French team, with competition sites that have the same ambition. There is the objective of bringing the Paralympic and Olympic Games to the same level, with a tailor-made treatment.
We know that we have challenges to meet. This is the first time that our country will organize the Summer Paralympic Games. There is still a need for education, for pedagogy around Paralympic sports, around communication and promotion of this event, but there is room to organize these Games which will mark a milestone. And who I believe will leave a legacy. Many French people will be surprised by the quality of the athletes’ performances, the emotions they will experience.
For the moment, the Paralympic Games that have made history, and the opinion is unanimous in terms of organization and fervor in the stadiums, are those of London in 2012…
Of course, we were inspired by London 2012 which was the start of a new stage in the development of the Paralympic Games. We also met the media, I’m thinking of Channel 4, which I met on several occasions, because they were quite pioneers in the way of presenting, promoting and focusing on the profiles of athletes. It was interesting for us to fully understand how certain media were able to create a desire locally, on the British market. On a need for that in France. We are two years old, it will happen very quickly, so that the French know the Paralympic sports better, the Paralympic athletes better, so that they want to support them and, somewhere, to see them win in 2024. a great challenge. The Tokyo Games revealed a French team with many medals. A young team with a lot of potential. There is room for it to hit. We have ideas for creating highlights around Paralympism.
“We believe in this unique French team project, Olympic and Paralympic, with more bridges between the athletes. […] Create facilities for athletes to train together. It pulls everyone up. »
How to make it not an operation limited to the event?
That’s a good point. One of the challenges is the legacy and our ability to mobilize an entire ecosystem around the construction of the success of Paris 2024 so that this ecosystem, when the organizing committee disappears, can continue, be equipped to develop all the actions put in place. We work a lot in schools, for example, to better promote the place of disability and access to the practice of sport for people with disabilities. Today, it is the sports movement which is on the front line, on the CNOSF, CPSF and federations side. We have also created an endowment fund to support sports structures in their development of the practice of sport for people with disabilities, with training plans for sports educators…
Is it also an how to make these Paralympic Games more visible?
In any case, that’s why we believe in this unique French team project, Olympic and Paralympic, with more bridges between the athletes. Also with the coaches. Create facilities for athletes to train together. It pulls everyone up. Today, it’s great to see these guides making their experience available to the French Paralympic team. I welcome that with a lot of goodwill. It really is the way to go. »