Although he is not one of the 425 signatories of a forum calling on the government not to make a clear cut in the sports budget in France, Victor Wembanyama nevertheless expressed his concern on the subject, emphasizing the importance of sports practice among young people.
The world of French sport is united. While the 2025 finance bill provides for a drastic 33% reduction in the sports budget, 425 Olympic and Paralympic athletes signed a column in the columns of L’Equipe, denouncing a “sabotage of living together” and calling for government of François Bayrou and President Emmanuel Macron to review their plans to avoid a “foretold disaster”, just a few months after the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Among the signatories, Teddy Riner, Manon Apithy-Brunet, Alexis Hanquinquant, Mélina Robert-Michon and Nicolas Batum, captain of the Blues basketball team last summer. His teammate Victor Wembanyama is not on the list. Obviously because it was not requested. Which does not prevent the San Antonio Spurs star, visiting France this week for the NBA Paris Games, from joining the fight of other athletes.
“We cannot overestimate the importance of sport among young people”
“I was not aware of this forum, but I will find out,” “Wemby” said at a press conference this Wednesday. Before sending a message: “It’s something that is very close to my heart. Having experienced several sports in France and in different environments, we cannot overestimate the importance of sport among young people.”
-In a quote sent to L’Equipe and confirmed to RMC Sport, Emmanuel Macron also reacted, again this Wednesday, to the discontent of French athletes. “You’re right,” he said. “Since 2017, I have ensured that the sports budget increases every year. We have organized magnificent Olympic and Paralympic Games. We must keep our commitments and provide the means for our athletes and so that the legacy of the Games benefits to all.”
Words which echo those of the Minister of Sports Marie Barsacq. “This request for an additional reduction, which would bring the overall reduction to 33%, is truly disproportionate. In the aftermath of the Games, we, on the contrary, need to invest in sport,” she lamented for her part in an interview with West France. What suggests backpedaling?
