Val-de-Reuil, Amiens, Eaubonne… these cities that prepare athletes before the Games
No fewer than 500 municipalities are already living in the time of the Games, converted into training centers for athletes from all over the world. Examples in Eure and Somme.
The children at the Val-de-Reuil (Eure) recreation center can’t sit still. “They’re here!” shouts a small voice, pointing to the line of green and white tracksuits. Immediately, the crowd runs towards the athletes of the Saudi Arabian Olympic delegation and hands them autographs: leaflets, princess schoolbags and even arms, everything goes. Everyone wants an autograph from pole vaulter Hussain Al Hizam, bronze medalist at the 2022 Asian Games, and swimming prodigy Zaid Al Sarraj, only 16 years old. Since July 10, Saudi athletes have taken up residence in this city of nearly 14,000 souls, halfway between the Normandy coast and Paris.
150 km away, a group of Japanese swimmers walk to the aquatic centre in Amiens (Somme), in flip-flops, under the intrigued gaze of passers-by. They have a discreet and polite smile on their lips, but do not go unnoticed, dressed in their fuchsia pink sports swimsuits. Surprised to come across such an unusual gathering, the people of Amiens on a spree turn around as they pass. “My daughter had never seen so many Japanese people,” smiles a shopkeeper. “The delegation wanted its training site to be very accessible,” explains Dominique Georges, from the sports department of Amiens Métropole. A member of the technical team calculated the journey between the hotel and the swimming pool: fifteen minutes flat!”
Like Amiens and Val-de-Reuil, nearly 500 communities welcomed the 200 Olympic teams who came for the Games for several weeks. The Americans landed in Eaubonne (Val-d’Oise), the Ukrainians in Wattignies (Nord), the Kenyans in Miramas (Bouches-du-Rhône)… As the competition calendar progresses, they will join the Olympic village by the beginning of August.
These international athletes were not parachuted there by chance. As soon as the announcement of the Olympic Games in France was made, the municipalities mobilized to attract them. For them, the stakes are high. In addition to the economic benefits, local elected officials are banking on a reputation for excellence in the world of sport. The goal? To attract other delegations in the future and even competitions at home.
Saudis conquered
The Amiens metropolitan area has invested 90 million euros since 2017 to renovate its sports infrastructure and position itself. In order to justify such a budget, elected officials took advantage of the “Olympic Games effect” and were able to capitalize on the general enthusiasm for sports activities and competitions. For the 39 municipalities in the urban area, the money “trickled down” and some were able to inaugurate a brand new multi-sports ground, 40% of which was financed by subsidies from the department.
In Val-de-Reuil, it’s the opposite: the Saudis paid nearly 100,000 euros to use the town’s infrastructure. A budget that allowed the town to redo the lighting of the sports facilities and add two lanes to the athletics track. A year ago, Prince Fahad Al Saud, vice-president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, even came to seal this cooperation and praise “the quality of the sports infrastructure, the service offerings, the magnificent and peaceful setting, as well as the kindness of the Normans”. “I love the landscapes, everything is green here, not like at home!” adds swimmer Zaid Al Sarraf, who came from Riyadh, a huge capital built in the middle of the desert.
Live on Japanese TV
Japanese swimmers discover a panorama of red brick houses in the city center of Amiens, where the Coliseum is located, a sports complex converted into an Olympic training center. This summer, it was adorned with welcome posters, in the Japanese alphabet, in the colors of the Land of the Rising Sun. In the stands, children appear as enthusiastic spectators and throw Konichiwa! to swimmers. “It means ‘hello!'” Charlie, 12, exclaims. The exchanges were immortalized by the cameras of Japanese television stations that followed their stars. “As soon as an athlete arrives, the Japanese press sends a correspondent. They are incredibly efficient,” notes Guillaume Duflot, the elected official in Amiens responsible for sports, who is excited at the idea of imagining his city becoming the new attraction for Japanese tourists. Marc-Antoine Jamet, mayor of Val-de-Reuil, also hopes for new opportunities for his town. Saudi Arabia could be entrusted with organizing the 2034 Football World Cup. Enough to form partnerships? The host cities know that these Olympic Games are a springboard.