• They were in the hundreds at 4 p.m. on Monday to welcome the judo champions on their return from the Tokyo Olympics.

  • The event took place in the fan zone of the Trocadéro gardens in Paris.

  • Among the athletes present on site, the double gold medalist Clarisse Agbegnenou, but also the eternal favorite Teddy Riner.

They were hundreds is the rain. The gardens of the Trocadéro were full to welcome the French judokas on their return from the Olympics. Flags on their backs, medals around their necks, the champions were smiling from ear to ear in the face of an audience that did not hide its joy. Some took advantage of their vacation to make the trip, like Mathis and Elie, from Mayenne. The two young men did not miss the final against the Japanese. For Elie, judo is a sport as "noble" as "respectful". “It conveys all the values ​​of sport,” he adds.

Others came with their families, like Gérald and Anaïs, from Sainte-Maxime (Var). On vacation in Paris, the couple and their two children followed the Games despite the distance. Their son Loric, an incorrigible fan, no longer knows where to go: “It's weird to see them. "But the meeting gave him back the desire to resume sport:" I had stopped judo but now I would like to continue. "Tony, who made the trip to Haute-Savoie, was not disappointed:" We were all expecting a big performance. I came by default for Teddy and Clarisse, they are the biggest champions. "And when we ask him the secret of this sport which thrills young and old, the answer is blurry, limpid:" Judo is a sport that has its place. It's a popular sport, which brings people back. The proof is made with the arrival of the champions, resounding.

In Japan, the French team marked the territory

They were there: Clarisse Agbegnenou, Axel Clerget, Teddy Riner, Sarah-Léonie Cysique but also Luka Mhkeidze, Romane Dicko, Amandine Buchart, or even Madeleine Malonga.

Among them, it is impossible not to see the Dean Teddy, who exceeds his companions by two heads.

Asked about his individual performance, the athlete takes stock: “This is also the Olympics.

Sometimes it passes, sometimes it breaks.

Despite everything, this bronze medal weighs heavily in the balance.

"After an ovation to the attention of the crowd, the results are strong:" It is marked for life: in Japan, the France team has marked the territory.

"

As for the flag-bearer Clarisse Agbegnenou, double gold medalist, the surprise was great: "One medal was sure, but then two ..." On her individual record, the young woman flew over the fight with her mind: " It was a faultless day with stress, but I was determined.

The year has been very difficult, I have fallen very low.

But seeing that it was Tina in the face, I smiled and I told myself that it was written.

"Because the year has been difficult:" I was very depressed, I shut myself up a bit, but it was to bring you back the beautiful medals today.

»The audience ignites in front of the tears of the young woman, solar in spite of the rain on the square.

In alignment with the Eiffel Tower, the words of Clarisse Agbegnenou have a particular resonance: "Rendez-vous in Paris 2024."

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  • Teddy Riner

  • Tokyo Olympics 2021

  • Sport

  • Olympic Games

  • Paris

  • Judo