The Tokyo Olympics ended Sunday, with 33 medals in the hands of the French delegation.
And already, all the French athletes have their heads turned to the next edition, which will take place in 2024, in Paris.
They all have one ambition, to do better than in Japan.
Barely the page of the Tokyo Olympics tours, French athletes have already turned their minds to the next Games.
And for good reason, they will take place in Paris, in 2024, in three years therefore.
Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of the capital, officially picked up the torch on Sunday and at the Trocadéro, the French medalists were able to celebrate their fine performances with the large public.
"Knowing that it is in Paris, we are all re-boosted, we are all waiting and I think we will explode the medal record", smiles Amandine Buchard, Olympic vice-champion in judo.
"It's going to be a crazy thing. And I'm really looking forward to it. And I hope I will make La Marseillaise resonate at home."
Teddy Riner's Perfect Day
Teddy Riner, has even already made the film of his ideal day in his head. "I'm in good shape, I'm well prepared, I haven't had too many injuries. Every lap I pass I feel good. The public is carrying me. I get to the final, I win the or of course. I am super happy. I have tears flowing. I do not know what takes me. I go up in the public ", says the three-time Olympic champion. "And there is my coach who wakes me up, who says to me 'that's enough. You won your gold medal, but we have to leave to go to the teams'. I say' but I'm tired '.' Yes, but you have a team that is counting on you to go and win another gold medal. ”And there, we still have a France-Japan. Except that this time, we win at home, at home” ,Teddy Riner continues.
"And then you won't hear from me any more. I'm definitely saying goodbye to judo," laughs the judoka.
"That would be the perfect day. Now, before doing all that, we will have to prepare well, heal the wounds and concentrate well. Because it's true, there will be this fervor, there will be this atmosphere. , but we must not climb too much in the towers and stay on our own. These Games will have to be successful and I say it for myself, but I also say it for all those who are going to experience these Games. We will have to stay focused and do what we can do. "
"Of course we will have to do better"
Because for all, the goal will be the same: to do better than the 33 medals of Tokyo, since there is nothing more motivating than to play the Games at home in front of your public, if possible.
But the insolent success of sport-co, which brings in a historic harvest, but also of judo and fencing, which brings back more than a third of the medals, should not mask the gaps.
Track and field and swimming brought only one Tokyo medal when boxing and gymnastics left empty-handed.
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"It is sure that we will have to do better," admits Tony Estanguet, boss of the Paris 2024 organizing committee. "All the countries which have organized the Games at home have systematically improved and improved their results. So, we expect a lot from the French team. The French will have to be really present in 2024 to make all these French teams win. We will have incredible venues, we will have incredible athletes and these Games will be incredible. "
And when we see the Olympics effect, however behind closed doors, on Japan, in third place of the nations behind the United States and China with 58 medals, including 27 in gold, France can dream of a good harvest at residence.
It will be from July 26 to August 11, 2024.