the essential
Monday, November 11, Jefferson-Lee Joseph, player from Perpignan in the Top 14, visited Duras, the Lot-et-Garonnais village where he grew up, to present his Olympic Rugby sevens gold medal. Interview with the Former SU Agen winger.
On July 28, the French 7s team beat Fiji, double title holders, in the final of the Paris Olympic Games with a score of 28-7. Jefferson-Lee Joseph, Lot-et-Garonnais of this team, marked the first try of the French, that of the revolt, in a Stade de France in melting. Four months after this Olympic coronation, the 22-year-old returned to Duras, the village where he grew up and started rugby, to present his gold medal to the residents. Between two autographs and selfies with admirers, the former SU Agen player, who now plays in Perpignan in the Top 14, gave us an interview to talk about the life of an Olympic champion.
How does it feel to return to your childhood village, in Duras?
It was natural for me to come back to Duras. It's been a while since I returned to Lot-et-Garonne, because I quickly moved on to the Top 14 after the Olympic Games. Finding time to come home wasn’t easy. In addition, today is November 11, an important date for all French people, and I am happy to experience it here.
Looking back, are you still impressed by the excitement around the Olympics?
It always surprises me. Seeing the joy of the children and all the emotions that we were able to convey during these Olympics is incredible. And we still have trouble realizing it. People told me they cried when I scored in the final against Fiji. It's always a lot of emotions.
“I speak to people who said they cried when I scored in the final against Fiji”
What was the most memorable moment of your Olympic adventure?
Certainly the climb to the podium and the moment when I was given the gold medal. The Olympic Games are incredible to experience: entering the Olympic village, playing in a full Stade de France, receiving the charm, my try in the final… There are so many little moments that make up an incredible and which take us into history.
What has the arrival of Antoine Dupont changed in the French 7s team?
In terms of media coverage, this caused the popularity of rugby sevens to explode. But it also had an impact on the referees and our opponents. In the group, this created real emulation and a desire to surpass ourselves in each of us.
After the Olympics, you quickly returned to Perpignan…
Yes, everything happened very quickly. I quickly played with Perpignan, with a first match sheet in Bayonne. Then, I had the chance to play several matches, notably at the Aimé-Giral stadium, where I discovered the incredible fervor of the USAP supporters. It's fabulous. I am very happy to have been able to play a series of matches at the start of the season, even if I have had some physical problems in recent weeks. But I will be ready for the rest of the season. The coach and staff are working to ensure I recover quickly.
“I had the objective of quickly switching to XV after Paris 2024, so the USAP was already in the back of my mind”
You returned to the West Indies to pay your respects at the grave of your father, Jeff Joseph…
It was important for me to return to the island of Dominica. I have dual French and Dominican nationality. There are now two gold medals there: Thea LaFond's in the triple jump and mine. It's historic. Part of my medal is dedicated to Dominica. We must never forget where we come from, that's what matters most.
Have you managed to come down from your Paris 2024 cloud?
I had the goal of quickly switching to the XV after Paris 2024, so Perpignan was already in the back of my mind. I had to prove myself in training and find my feet. But, honestly, we never completely come down from this cloud, because we hear about it every day. Being an Olympic champion changes your life forever. I can assure you.
Concretely, what has this changed for you?
It changed the way people looked, especially young people. I was in their place one day, with idols. And today, to tell myself that it's my turn to be someone's idol, it's an incredible feeling.
What are your goals for the months and years to come?
My goal is to play as many matches as possible in the Top 14, and of course to score, because that's what is expected of my winger position. The XV of France remains in the back of my mind, but I prefer not to talk too much about it for the moment. I still have some adjustments to make in rugby union, but I know I will get there.
