“The Games have barely finished…”: Marie-José Pérec shares the disappointment of other French athletes after an unexpected announcement

By David Contreras | Editor

“The Games have barely finished…”: Marie-José Pérec shares the disappointment of other French athletes after an unexpected announcement

Many French athletes saw in the awarding of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games an opportunity to launch a great positive momentum in the country in favor of sport and its practice by all citizens. The event itself was a total success, from the opening ceremony enhanced by the presence of Céline Dion and Zinedine Zidane through the exploits of Antoine Dupont and his teammates to Florent Manaudou in the pools. Unfortunately, almost 6 months after the event, the world of sport is in disarray with the latest announcements concerning the upcoming budget for the new year.

While the sports budget should already have experienced a budget cut of 100 million euros, “the government has decided to make the situation worse by tabling a new amendment which reduces €34 million additional a budget that is becoming marginal”denounces the French Paralympic Committee and the French Olympic Committee in a joint press release. On a budget “which is already struggling to reach 1 billion euros”sport is relegated to second place by François Bayrou and his government. A situation that arouses anger and incomprehension among athletes of all disciplines. Very attentive to sports news, Marie-José Pérec did not take long to react on Instagram. “Sport was already greatly weakened, barely after the Games”denounces the partner of former skier Sébastien Foucras, with whom she had a little boy.

Marie-José Pérec denounces budget cuts in sport

According to information from Marie-José Pérec, the drop in the sports budget would increase to minus 391 million euros. “Naively, I thought that sport was not a cost center, but a profit center! Investing in sport means giving yourself the opportunity to have a country that is more inclusive, less stressed, healthier, more courageous… in short, more profitable! What sad news than to see the sports budget once again revised downwards!”insists the one who has a refuge in an almost abandoned hamlet in Corrèze, before detailing the list of cuts planned by the government.

Camille Lacourt, Teddy Riner and Léon Marchand also very unhappy

Same story with two of the biggest French stars of the Paris Olympics. On X (formerly Twitter), Leon Marchand re-shared the news by simply and clearly very ironic, a clapping emoji information about its future budget cuts. An anger shared by Teddy Rinerhero of these Games at home, who goes further in his analysis. “After seven years of preparation, we experienced extraordinary Olympic Games, leaving a significant legacy internationally and especially for the future of our youth. Yet, as soon as the games are over, the sports budget drops by 33%! Let’s not let this flame go out, it is essential for the future!”he warns.

Commentator for France Télévisions during the event, Camille Lacourt also received the news with great distrust. In his story (to be found in the slideshow) on Instagram, the former swimmer gave his opinion and he does not mince his words. “Decision that does not think about the long term… Sport is not just about champions… It’s a philosophy, an energy, values ​​of surpassing oneself, of cohesion… Sad news…”writes the sportsman who shared rare photos of his daughter Jazz for a special occasion recently.

But let the four French athletes rest assured, the Senate decided to reject the amendment submitted by the government of François Bayrou this Thursday, January 16 in the evening. “It’s too big a blow”declared the president of the committee on culture, education, communication and sport, Laurent Lafon, in comments reported by Le Monde.