By Mamy Yves Ratsimbazafy – Published on 16 Nov 2024 at 20:30
Antoine Dupont recently revealed more personal aspects of his journey during an interview with Brut. Far from the Rugby fields, the scrum half from Stade Toulousain spoke about his rural origins and the evolution of his perception of this environment.
Antoine Dupont was not always the undisputed star of the oval ball that we know today. He actually lived a simple life until rugby highlighted his immense talent: “When I was little, we were almost ashamed to say that we were peasants. The connotation was always negative.” Words which resonate with a certain melancholy, recalling a time when land-based professions were not always valued. I remember that at school, to write my parents' profession, I wrote hotelier-restaurateur and I did not write farmer » he then reveals to highlight the impact of social representations on a child's self-esteem.
A feeling of embarrassment that does not leave Antoine Dupont
This feeling of embarrassment is all the more striking when we put it in parallel with the current image of the rugby player. The latter which has become a symbol of strength, courage and success. “ And today we manage to be proud and to value that more » he continues in his vein. We must believe that this development reflects a paradigm shift, where rural values and land-based professions are increasingly recognized and appreciated.
An important development for the athlete
Rugby is a sport often historically associated with the countryside. However, he played an important role in this evolution of Antoine Dupont. “ Rugby had a big connotation at the time since most of the clubs were in the South West and many assimilated it to a country sport, especially in the 1970s and 1980s. » explains the athlete. However, over the years, rugby has been able to democratize and overcome these stereotypes. By speaking about her past in this way, the star is not only telling her personal story. He gives a voice to an entire generation who grew up with this feeling of ambivalence towards their origins. His confidences are a call to pride and recognition for all people from the rural world.
Doubts that remain
These statements from Antoine Dupont remind us in any case that behind the image of the high-level athlete hides a man with his own doubts, his own complexes. By daring to talk about his origins, he invites us to reflect on our own prejudices and to celebrate the diversity of our backgrounds.
