After gold in Paris, Earvin Ngapeth (33) talks about the Tokyo Olympics: “There, it was…

By Editorial | Sport

Star of the Blues for many years, Earvin Ngapeth added a second Olympic gold medal to his record at the end of a crazy fortnight in Paris. But if he had already been crowned in Tokyo, the receiver-attacker assures him: there is no possible comparison between these two charms. Because things were very different in Japan…

In addition to Cassandre Beaugrand, Léon Marchand, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and others who shone individually, team sport was not left out during these Paris Olympic Games. Rugby sevens had certainly opened the way, while men’s and women’s basketball came very close to the feat. But it is perhaps the volleyball victory that will remain the most memorable.

Pushed by a melting public, the tricolors went to win the ultimate Holy Grail at the end of an eventful tournament, during which they almost took the door in the quarter-finals. Enough to make the final victory even sweeter, even more than that of Tokyo. And Earvin Ngapeth won’t tell you otherwise.

Earvin Ngapeth highlights the contrast between the Paris and Tokyo Olympics

Questioned by France Bleu, the native of Saint-Raphaël did not hide the fact that these two gold medals are very different. Because in Tokyo, the very specific conditions linked to Covid had ruined everything in his eyes:

When I see the medal, it’s always a great pride. It is even more beautiful because it is the one from Paris, games at home. In Tokyo, it was the first but it was empty. There was no one there. The stadium was empty. Far from families, far from friends. There, we were with everyone. Our audience, but especially family, friends. It has a really special taste.

Paragraph 4: Who feels that in deciding thus everyone has this and all things? Even with the danger and this in other provinces, all things for this

When we come back from hell, we lose two zero, we win three two. I think something happened. When we arrived in the room and saw this atmosphere, the audience stood up. Clearly. If we’re not at home, we lose the quarter-final. And when we saw what happened, the emotion there was and we said to ourselves, guys, we have to relive that

So after such emotions, is Ngapeth, 33, thinking of signing a historic three-peat for Los Angeles in 2028? The dream is inevitably in the back of his mind, but the Frenchman wanted to temper it and put things into perspective:

It makes us dream, obviously. But it’s complicated. Four years is a very long time. Next summer there is a world championship. This is the only title we are missing. So first, focus on that. Afterwards, yes, as long as the physical, the mental, the desire, the pleasure of being together is there. We all want to go to LA.

But first, there is this world championship. Afterwards, there is a European Championship. It’s step by step. I think it’s better to see it like that.

In many ways, Earvin Ngapeth and the French felt like they won gold for the first time this summer. Far from the solitude and psychosis of Tokyo, the French were able to celebrate this ultimate coronation with their families, their loved ones, and more broadly their country. An unforgettable moment that contrasts with the coldness of the Japanese charm…