Rugby World Cup: in 365 days, Toulouse at the center of the world
In a year, the Rugby World Cup will begin in France. Toulouse will host five matches in the competition.
The Rugby World Cup in France is in a year. Toulouse and eight other cities will host this global event, including the XV of France, currently No. 1 in the international rankings, is now the favorite. Yesterday, on the Jean-Jaurès alleys, the mayor of Toulouse and president of Toulouse Métropole, Jean-Luc Moudenc, included an electronic countdown, which will count down the number of days remaining before the event.
Experience in hosting major sporting events
“It’s a symbolic day, 365 days, it’s far and near at the same time. It will happen quickly. Toulouse will be ready, we will implement our experience in hosting international events (World Cup 1998, World Cup 2007, Euro 2016), and we will adapt to the requirements in terms of security, to organize a sporting event, but also festive, ”explained the mayor of Toulouse. Several personalities were present around him, including Maxime Médard, ambassador of the event.
Maxime Médard: “The XV of France can go all the way”
“Toulouse will be at the center of global attention for more than a month, we will host five matches, including the All Blacks and Japan. Admittedly, we won’t have the France team, but the enthusiasm is already enormous, the Stadium will be full at every match, and everyone will push behind the XV of France when they play. With the current generation and its staff, there is a good chance that he will go all the way…”
Some work at the Stadium
For Didier Lacroix, president of Stade Toulousain, being present at this symbolic launch was obvious. “We’ve been talking about it for so long! This inauguration makes it all a little more concrete. But believe me, the World Cup is on our minds almost every day, we are thinking about the best way to manage our internationals, in particular. The World Cup will make Toulouse shine beyond our borders, it will be an incredible event. We will make our facilities available for the Japan team during the competition, and the Stadium will go on tour there during the World Cup”.
Michel Sarran: “Available to rugby lovers during the competition”
For Michel Sarran, the great multi-starred chef, the World Cup will be an opportunity to share his passion with as many people as possible. “I am very happy to participate in this inauguration, my field is the saucepans (smile), but I will try to make them available to rugby lovers during the competition! »
Stadium adaptation works will start
“The Stadium will be ready, finished Laurence Arribagé, deputy mayor in charge of sports. Adaptation work (fibre, press box, pitch, locker rooms) will begin shortly. And everything will be ready for September 2023! »