2024-07-26 15:00:24
On July 24, on the occasion of the relay of the Olympic and Paralympic flame by CREPS in the Hauts-de-Seine, and especially in Ile-de-France, Michel Godard, head of the agency, recalled the Olympic enthusiasm of CREPS and what to expect during the Paris Games.
On July 24, the Olympic torch relay took place in the Hautes-Seine, so how did the event take place at CREPS IDF (Chatenay-Marabry)?
The relay of the Olympic torch went very smoothly, and we were able to bring everyone present together to welcome the long-awaited torch. We are very proud to welcome this torch to Île-de-France and especially CREPS. We were able to greet him and stay with him until he was released, which only lasted a few minutes because it was quick. But everyone loves it.
CREPS is truly integrated into the rhythm of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and has been welcomed by different delegations…
We welcomed a certain number of delegations, we mainly welcomed the Ukrainian delegation, which was the wish of the Minister (Editor’s note: Amélie Oudéa-Castera) to contact them. We have welcomed five players and the sixth will arrive between the Olympics and the Paralympics to prepare for the latter, specifically Para-Badminton. These delegations followed up one after another and the progress was very smooth. We also welcomed the French women’s hockey team, who have come to CREPS six times to prepare for this world event.
Young people can also benefit from the enthusiasm of CREPS through SOP (Olympic and Paralympic Week)…
In fact, we have been preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics for six years. This year is a very special time for everyone and I think we will do our job.
“It was a touching moment”
How do you feel about seeing the Olympic flame just days before the official opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics?
We are living through a unique moment, one that you only experience once in your life, to be so close to the Olympic flame. This is a touching moment and we strive to make this moment a wonderful experience in order to create lasting memories of this moment.
CREPS produces many high-level athletes every year. Isn’t it a sacred feeling to see the flames inside?
We’re finally back to square one. During the Tokyo Olympics, 15 medal-winning athletes passed CREPS, proving that we are a place of preparation on the road to performance. When France hosted the JOP, we were back to square one, that is, we spent a long time preparing the athletes and their training. Today some of our athletes will compete in the Paris Olympics.
What’s next for CREPS after the 2024 Paris Olympics?
I think we’ve done a lot with Olympic Legacy. We helped with the preparations, but the Olympics were also a lever so that we could work in CREPS and put some things in place after the Paris Olympics. In what we do, thanks Île-de-France Regional Council With the 40 million euros it provided, we were able to build new equipment within the institution (gym, training room, weight room, catering, accommodation). We wouldn’t be able to make all these transformations without the Olympics. The IDF Regional Committees have made a huge contribution in preparing for tomorrow’s CREPS. We create conditions so that athletes receive better support, and I particularly think of building within the framework of an annex Emmanuel Munir High School, I would like to thank the national education team who have worked hard for this. The unification of locations saves time and facilitates training, recovery and everything related to athlete training conditions, so it’s a big improvement. We also do a lot of work in the medical and paramedical fields and in coaching training. All of this prepares the athletes of tomorrow and CREPS for the challenges ahead.
« Sports must serve health »
You are currently a director of CREPS. However, you will quickly give up your position. What will you do next?
Indeed, I am passing the baton to a successor who has not yet been selected, but this will be done in the coming weeks. I think I’m very proud to have prepared a good foundation for him to continue to grow the agency. I’ve done a lot in the eight years I’ve led CREPS. They will serve as the basis for the development of the next director.
You have experienced the popular Torch Relay in Hauts-de-Seine, what are your expectations for the Paris Olympics?
It’s actually incredible that people are still so passionate about the Olympic flame. Wherever the flame goes, I see people, and the world will be realized in the practice of sports for the health of all. I believe this is where we must get to and sport must serve the health of both men and women. I hope that the Paris Olympics will inspire French people to engage in physical activity for everyone’s well-being and health.
What are your expectations for the French athletes participating in the Paris Olympics?
I expect France to finish third in terms of medals. After the United States and China, I think it is playable, even if other countries are interested in getting on the podium, such as Great Britain, Germany or other countries. I honestly think it’s playable and we have this home advantage Third place would be a good place for France. Achieve all the means deployed for sporting success at these Olympic Games. On the other hand, for our Paralympics, it will be more complicated, but the country has also invested a lot of resources, and I hope we can get a good honor in the Paralympics.
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