They left as they came back: with medals around their necks.

On the forecourt of the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, families and passers-by thronged this Monday afternoon to see the faces of the athletes who are the pride of French basketball.

Bronze for women and silver for men: the players held the score, led by Endy Miyem for some and Nicolas Batum for others.

“Since the 1976 Montreal Games, I have never missed the Games.

As the time for the raising of the Olympic flag draws near, Leila does not hide her joy.

This grandmother took her granddaughters to witness the last moments of these thrilling weeks.

“They were great,” she exclaims.

“Of course we would have liked gold, but the men's team that wins silver against the Americans is already great,” smiles the sixty-year-old.

Absent volleyball and handball teams

Initially programmed for a triptych photo of team sports, the handball and volleyball teams were ultimately not present, to the chagrin of some fans. Evelyne and Nathalie would have liked to see the women's handball team, they who come from the same city as the gold medalist goalkeeper Amandine Leynaud, in Bourg-de-Péage in the Drôme. “This final, five points apart, what a great score! ", Rejoices the second, who saw the handball player" from her debut. "

Suddenly, it's time to raise the Olympic flag: the white banner overlooks the Town Hall which will host the next Olympic Games.

"In 2024, we will have an appointment with our History", predicts the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, alongside Tony Estanguet, president of the organizing committee.

Just like the arrival of the players, the event takes place at a good distance from the visitors, distributed along the barriers after careful control of the health pass.

"The Olympics opened me up to other sports"

Among the fans who attended, there is one that can hardly be missed: Yohan, Brooklyn Nets cap and t-shirt on his back, breathes basketball. “I got up at 3 am to see the matches,” he says, still amazed to have glimpsed Nicolas Batum alongside his favorite players Rudy Gobert or even Evan Fournier. “The Olympics opened me up to other sports,” he adds, casting a mocking glance at his brother Antoine, more of a rugby fan.

Further, Adam and Agrish sneak between the curious to reach the barriers surrounding the enclosure.

The two teenagers can not believe it: "We had come to buy sneakers in the neighborhood and we came across basketball players" is surprised the first.

They who had "struggled" to enter the Trocadéro the day before were able to see the team they adore.

"Pure luck" adds Agrish, before taking stock: "I have the impression that we had fewer medals than in Rio, probably because of the injuries.

"And if we ask them if they will be there in 2024, the answer is unanimous:" Of course we will be there!

»After the baccalaureate, of course.

Sport

Olympics 2021: The cons of Batum, the tears of Agbegnenou ... Our highlights of these two weeks in Tokyo

Sport

Olympics 2021: The giant flag of Paris 2024 could not be deployed during the handover because of the wind

  • Sport

  • Anne Hidalgo

  • Olympic Games

  • Paris 2024

  • Basketball

  • Paris