After an exceptional Olympic summer, the athletes and para-athletes of the French team paraded on Saturday during the champions’ parade on the Champs Élysées in Paris, cheered by thousands of spectators.
It is 3 p.m., and the Champs-Élysées are beating to the rhythm of preparations. Still far from the public, volunteers and athletes cross paths, exchange smiles and words. In an hour, they will parade on the legendary avenue of Paris and the Place de l’Étoile, before turning the page on the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
For Élodie Clouvel, vice-champion of the pentathlon, this parade represents much more than a simple celebration. “It’s an opportunity to relive all these intense moments and to thank all those who contributed to the success of the Games,” she explains, looking at the many volunteers surrounding her. In response, one of them says: “Bravo to you, you gave us so many emotions!”
With her gold and silver medals around her neck, Shirine Boulki, for her part, savors every moment: “It gives us a huge burst of joy, and sharing that with the volunteers and the public is fantastic,” confides the double judo medalist. “I feel a sense of pride and immense joy because we transmitted and received so many emotions this summer!”, expresses Hakim Arezki, Paralympic champion with the French blind football team. “It’s time to breathe and celebrate!”
Incredible emotion
- FRANCE 24
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