Biathlon | Kontiolahti: where does the “Night Night” celebration performed by Emilien Jacquelin at the finish line of the relay come from? | Nordic Mag

Biathlon: in Kontiolahti, Emilien Jacquelin went there for his “Night Night”

Sunday, in the darkness of a winter afternoon Kontiolahti (Finland), the French biathlon team lit up the world cup. During the men's relay, indeed, the Blues completed a very high level racelargely dominating the debates for achieve a first victory on the planetary circuit in almost 4 years.

Crossing the finish line alone, Emilien Jacquelin – who had failed a few minutes earlier to validate the 40/40 shooting of the Blues – pretended to be American basketball player Stephen Curry, performing his signature “Night Night” celebration. No wonder when we know the Dauphinois' love and admiration for the NBA.

Emilien Jacquelin (FRA) – Manzoni/NordicFocus

Iconic, this celebration with both hands outstretched on the cheek and eyes closed saw the light of day during the 2022 NBA playoffs. “The first time I did it was in Denverexplained the US superstar to the media Boardroom in August of the same year. It happened very quickly. We were in the energy of our return to the playoffs, which we had missed for two years. I was excited to get back on that stage. I was coming off the bench, so I was even more impatient, I had a lot of energy. »

An iconic celebration

Thus, the Golden State Warriors player, four-time NBA champion, can't really explain the genesis of “Night Night”.

“I don’t even know where it came fromhe confirms. We were in the last quarter, in a close match. I knew that if we won, we were 3-0 and the series was going to be over, either in four or five games. In this last act, we stopped and I said to myself, 'we have to put them to bed'. That was what I told myself, and not to my teammates or to the room. »

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“I put this layup against Nikola Jokic and that's where the idea came from to make this sign. I didn't say good night at that moment. Above all, I told myself that we had to put the Nuggets to sleep. Then, in Game 5, I put in this layup in the last seconds, it was officially a 'we have to put them to sleep'. The camera didn't film that, but I said it. »

Since 2022, the celebration of Stephen Curry has therefore come a long way and it is she who air-conditioned, let us remember, the Arena Bercy during the money time of the final of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Now recognized in the world of sport, “Night Night” therefore made its appearance this Sunday, December 1, 2024 on the world biathlon circuit.

“As soon as I see someone do it, I smile because it reminds me of that playoff run and how powerful the sport is.”finally entrusted the American king of 3-point shots in the NBA. History does not tell (yet?) whether he saw Emilien Jacquelin's “Night Night”.