overseas athletes sound the alarm against the high cost of living

This weekend, overseas athletes stood out for their commitment to the fight against the high cost of living in the Overseas Territories. Several of them united to denounce this situation through a message relayed on social networks.

On Sunday afternoon, thousands of them, all dressed in red, marched through the streets of Paris to protest against the high cost of living in the Overseas Territories. Despite the gray and cold, they wanted to respond to the call from RPPRAC Martinique and marched from Place Denfert-Rochereau (14th arrondissement of Paris) to the Ministry of Overseas Territories. In the procession, anonymous people, politicians, artists, but also former overseas athletes, like Maguy Nestoret Ontanon. “We are in solidarity with what is happening overseas“, she says.

The former Martinican sprinter initiated a sports movement in the company of former footballer Lilian Thuram and triple Olympic champion Marie-José Perec. “At first, I contacted them Friday evening to see if they were available to go to the march (The one organized in the 14th arrondissement of Paris this Sunday, November 10, Editor's note). But as they were not available, we thought of a way to show that the sporting world was united and we agreed together to make a message on social networks“, she explains.

The message will be shared by many athletes from overseas such as Marcus and Khephren Thuram, the Guadeloupeans Yannick Borel, Enzo Lefort, the West Indian Cédrick Nankin, the Martinicans Mandy François-Elie, Sandrine Gruda, or even the Réunionnais Jackson Richardson and many others. others. “Quite quickly, I got feedback from athletes who wanted to join us, because they didn't know how to mobilize and had questions. So very quickly, the idea was to rally as many people as possible, story Maguy Nestoret Ontanon. Thierry Henry, Wendie Renard or even Teddy Riner had the chance to express themselves individually, but as not everyone has access to speech and to the media, we said to ourselves that a collective movement could also complement individual speeches. “

The message will even go beyond the borders of overseas athletes and be relayed by athletes not from overseas, such as the Paralympic champion in Paris last August, Marie Patouillet, or the Olympic gymnastics champion in Athens in 2004, Émilie Le Pennec. “The problem of the cost of living in the Overseas Territories must concern everyone, including athletes who are not from the Overseas Territories and it’s true that we liked that,” rejoices the former French indoor 200m champion in 1993.

The sporting movement initiated by these three former athletes does not intend to stop with this post on the networks. “I sent a message to the member of RPPRAC France to find out how people in sport can be useful to the movement. I have not yet received any feedback, but we will have to see very quickly what follow-up to take”, says Maguy Nestoret.

“If tomorrow, we want to continue to have little ones (Marie-José) Perec, (Sandrine) Gruda or (Lilian) Thuram in the French teams, these children must be able to eat well, take good care of themselves. […] All children must have the same rights.” Maguy Nestoret alerted.

If parents have difficulty making ends meet, the first thing that will be lost is sport and culture, we know that very well. It's not the sports license that they're going to take first.

Other overseas athletes have also stood out recently for their positions, whether on social networks or in the media, such as Martinican basketball player Mathias Lessort. In an interview after a match, he spoke in Creole and sent this message to the demonstrators who have been protesting since the beginning of September on the island: “Keep fighting, the fight is not over, we are here with you“. Very committed, the player from the town of Morne-Vert in Martinique also received the support of his club's supporters.

The Minister of Overseas Territories, François-Noël Buffet will travel to Martinique from Monday, November 11, until November 14. It should undoubtedly provide answers on the question of the cost of living.

Non-exhaustive list of athletes who shared this message: