“A pure product of the 47.” It is with this simple sentence, written in the guestbook of the commune of Aiguillon, that Jefferson-Lee Joseph, Olympic rugby sevens champion, recalled his attachment to his land of origin, Lot-et-Garonne. Organized by her mother, Bettina Baudet, with the help of friends and local elected officials, a surprise reception, chaired by Christian Girardi, mayor of Aiguillon, took place on Friday, November 8, in the Louis-Jamet room.
An imposing rugby representation, bringing together its first Duraquois coaches, ex-teammates from the SUA, Duras, Sainte-Bazeille and Lormont, as well as friends, welcomed the man who, a few months earlier, contributed to what the team from France wins a gold medal.
Finally back home
During his speech, the first magistrate from Aiguillon did not fail to recall “the place of honor that you have taken, on an equal footing with the greats of local rugby, alongside Daniel Dubroca or the neighbor from Bouran Philippe Sella”. Aged 22, Guadeloupean by birth, Jefferson-Lee spent his childhood in Duras, where his mother was a grocer.
It was here that he became acquainted with the oval ball, and began the incessant work that led him to the Olympic Grail. Enough to open the way to the Top 14 this year, under the colors of the Perpignan Harlequins Sports Union, which his favorite club, the SUA, could not offer him.
In response to all the requests he has received since this summer, the young man simply admits: “I had not yet found my homeland since the Olympic preparation. I feel great joy about it today. »
