Paris (AFP)

"Too many athletes are in permanent insecurity," worries the National Technical Director of French athletics Patrice Gergès, questioned by AFP about the withdrawal of certain equipment manufacturers eight months from the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Q: Are you feeling the growing concern among athletes about the threat of declining aid from some OEMs?

A: "I felt some concern as early as June, because there were already echoes at the time about possible disengagement on the part of certain equipment manufacturers. The athletes concerned were very numerous. Athletes have told me about a contract modification or a substantial reduction, 50% or 30% for some. This concerns athletes from the French team, to world medalists. I would say that more than half of the athletes are impacted by declining revenues. "

Q: What are the measures taken by the French Athletics Federation (FFA)?

A: "We tried to anticipate financial worries from the summer on. We were more aggressive in finding companies to hire and in consolidating income. For example, sprinter Orlann Ombissa-Dzangue (triple vice- French champion 2017, 2018, 2019, Editor's note) is strongly impacted, she was in a difficult social situation. We worked with the National Sports Agency (ANS) and she joined the SNCF as an SNCF agent in the context of jobs reserved for high-level athletes. I have just made a proposal to consider an evolution of what professional athletics is, to bring a little more security. In addition, personalized aids, which helped to finance individual actions, for example internships, were oriented towards social support to prevent catastrophic situations from setting in. The president of the FFA André Giraud has decided to release a budget for the social assistance of athletes, which has practically doubled.

compared to other years with more than 50,000 euros in reserves, to allow those who are in social difficulty to get by.

Aid has been given and loans committed.

We should not let go of our athletes. "

Q: Are you not worried that this situation will aggravate the precariousness of top athletes?

A: "For the best, even if there is an impact, it will not be difficult to absorb. The most problematic is for the athletes who have an excellent level, who aspire to be at the Olympic Games and who do not even have a contract, who have to buy their shoes, everything. Very often, it is those who have no income and they have to devote most of their remuneration acquired through clubs or communities to invest in their equipment to be able to practice. For example, the decathlete Basile Rolnin, who may be in the Top 8 at the Olympics, must buy all his shoes. The crisis has put a spotlight on those who were in difficulty. We have too many + smicards +, too many of them are in permanent insecurity. "

Interview by Keyvan NARAGHI

© 2020 AFP