2024-04-16 17:17:50
In exactly one hundred days, the 2024 Olympic Games begin and only 37% of French people are impatiently awaiting them according to a recent survey by the Viavoice institute, in partnership with France TV, France Média Monde, Radio France and Ouest France. In Besançon, no event will take place, yet the Olympics are eagerly awaited by some. This is particularly the case at “La Française de Besançon”. The weightlifting club will receive three or four African delegations to the Malcombe room. It has been labeled a Games preparation center.
“We say to ourselves that we have accomplished something”
The Malcombe room in Besançon is a small room which does not look like much but which is nevertheless very well equipped. “We redid all the weightlifting platforms”, explains Agnès Chiquet, president of the “La Française de Besançon” club. In total there are nine, “which is rare in a room”. Sauna, bars and weights are also brand new. The former champion does not hide her enthusiasm. “There’s a lot of pride.” For her, these are the performances of the Bisontins best known in the world of weightlifting, the Matam Matam brotherswhich resonate internationally.
One of them is still at the club, David, nicknamed “Hercules”, who is himself an Olympic athlete. He has participated four times at the Olympics, in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. For him, now welcoming athletes from the Games is quite a symbol. “It represents something“, he enthuses. “These delegations will come here, to the club, to Besançon. We say to ourselves that we have accomplished something.”
He plans to use his experience to provide valuable advice to these African athletes. “We have a responsibility following having a high-level career. We try to make them avoid the pitfalls.” David Matam Matam also knows that he will learn from them.
Promote weightlifting
These 2024 Olympics represent a great opportunity to raise awareness of the discipline. In France, there is less than 20,000 licensees470 in Burgundy-Franche-Comté. “We are an old discipline and we suffer from prejudices”, explains Agnès Chiquet. A way to shine the spotlight on weightlifting and introduce people to it. “La Française de Besançon” intends to share her enthusiasm for these Games. The club will organize many activities with schools in particular.
In addition to Besançon, four other Franche-Comté towns are also selected: Vesoul, Luxeuil, Dole and Belfort. There were around ten of them who submitted their application to the COJOP, the Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
To listen
Broadcast on 02/16/2024
The Olympic Games seen by the students of the Pouilley-les-Vignes college
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