the essential
Newly appointed Minister of Sports, this 51-year-old woman will discover politics. She had been a central element in the organization of the 2024 Olympic Games and also responsible for continuing their legacy.
François Bayrou chose a name little known to the general public. This Monday, December 23, the Prime Minister announced the composition of his government. Among the main surprises: the new Minister of Sports, Marie Barsacq. She succeeds Gil Avérous and before him, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.
The experience of French sports authorities
Although at 51 years old, this trained lawyer has no experience of politics, she has never really strayed from sport, traveling through the various French authorities. For many years, she worked on employment and professional training issues in the sports sector within the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF). Then, Marie Barsacq became deputy general director in charge of amateur football at the FFF.
A central role in Paris 2024
Executive director of the Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (COJOP), the former lawyer was “one of the centerpieces of Paris 2024” according to the words of Tony Estanguet to L'Équipe. Before that, the new minister had notably worked on the 30 minutes of compulsory sport in primary schools. But the main task assigned to him was not the least: to perpetuate the legacy of the Games. A task that she will always be responsible for carrying out at the head of the Ministry of Sports.
The Estanguet method
This Tuesday, September 24, during the transfer of power with Gil Avérous, Marie Barsacq announced that she was inspired by “the method learned from Tony Estanguet”, the president of Paris 2024. “It's a daring method: we must dare , you have to think big, you have to have dreams and hold on to them,” she assured in comments reported by AFP.
Tricky issues to manage
Barely immersed in the deep political bath, Marie Barsacq will have to look into hot issues, listed by her predecessor Gil Avérous this Monday: “The renewal of the Stade de France concession, which must write a new page in its history; the 2030 Alps winter games; the fight against abuse in stadiums and the fight against all forms of discrimination and violence.” The issue of homophobic chants in football stadiums will also be at the heart of the debates. Without forgetting the announced reduction in the budget for sport.
Olympic 2030 objective
From the first days of her mandate, Marie Barsacq will be concerned about the 2030 Olympics. Even if they still only represent a distant prospect, finding the leader of the organization of this global event is becoming urgent. Lately, a duo formed by six-time Olympic champion Martin Fourcade and former Prime Minister Michel Barnier seems to be breaking away.
France
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