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A few minutes after lighting the Olympic cauldron in Metz, Allison Pineau spoke about this privilege. The new Metz Handball player notably expressed her gratitude towards the Olympic movement, which has guided her throughout her career.
Allison Pineau, why did you choose Metz?
I hesitated for a long time. I was offered two cities, and I chose Metz. To me, it made a lot of sense. I didn’t see how it was possible not to choose Metz. For multiple reasons: personal, sporting… It was obvious.
What was the other city?
My city of birth (Chartres, editor’s note). But I moved when I was 1 year old.
You had this special role and you had to light the cauldron… Is this also a great promotion for women’s handball?
Exactly. It’s a great promotion for this sport and for women. It’s a “full package” I want to say. It touches me enormously and I know how much of a privilege it is. Already, to carry the flame, but in addition to lighting the cauldron… It’s above all in terms of emotions and feelings. This moment will remain engraved, that’s for sure.
You won’t go to the Games. Wasn’t there an ambiguous feeling?
No, there is mostly a lot of pride. Would I have been able to carry the flame if I had gone to the Games? We will never know. But in any case, I would have had that privilege, so I am very grateful. I feel lucky and that is what I want to remember. Olympism has guided me throughout my career, and it continues to do so today. It will never stop.
Photo credit : Valentin Lachaux / Let’s Go Metz
