Amélie Oudéa-Castéra must play on different tables. The Minister of Sports went to Courchevel, on the occasion of the Alpine Skiing World Championships, to better feel France’s ability to organize major international competitions. In the mixed zone, she returned to the Crémer controversy, ousted from the Vendée Globe by the Banque Populaire because of her maternity; the Agbegnenou affair, who refuses to wear the kimono of the France team and who has been punished for this by his federation; or on the Le Graët case, whose lawyers denounced the conclusions of the audit delivered by the general inspectorate.
On the Alpine Skiing World Championships: “It shows that we know how to do it”
“The president of the International Ski Federation told me that it was probably the most beautiful Worlds in history. Huge hats off to the organizers, the 1500 volunteers, the public and private partners, the state services who delivered a magnificent event. This allows us to have confidence in our country’s ability to organize very good international sporting events and to promote our country’s image.
This shows that we know how to do, there is a lot of work, cohesion, the commitment of partners, communities, a well-prepared organizing committee that works in symbiosis with the State services. We will continue this momentum with the Rugby World Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the world para-athletics this summer. »
On the report of the incidents at the Stade de France last May: “Focusing on the future”
“We have shown that we are at work to learn the lessons of all this, the management of flows, the deployment of security forces, the mobilization of private security agents, crime prevention plans. We are working with Gérald Darmanin on these issues for the Rugby World Cup and the Games. We have also worked on all the issues of the experience, we are in a logic of concentrating on the future. We learned all the lessons. »
On the Clarisse Crémer “affair”: “Let motherhood enter the world of sailing”
“On the Crémer affair, she will be called upon to speak in the coming days. We want her to take the start of the Vendée Globe in November 2024. I have taken note of the press release from Banque Populaire. The other central lesson, which I was able to discuss with the president of the sailing federation, is that motherhood fully enters sailing, in ocean racing, it is essential.
On the question of Clarisse Agbégnénou’s kimono: “We must renew the dialogue”
“Regarding Clarisse Agbegnenou, I am unhappy with this episode. We have a great champion, a great judo federation. We must renew the dialogue in the days to come, find the right solutions. The jersey of the France team is sacred. Clarisse needs to feel good, that we are the best support possible, she is recovering from the birth of her little one. It is rebuilding, it finished seventh in Tel Aviv, it must continue to gain momentum, I know that the players in this file are keen to get things sorted out.
She knows she can count on my support, I spoke with Stéphane Nomis (president of the FFJ) yesterday. I will receive Clarisse on February 27th. An appointment already planned but it will be an opportunity to come back to all that. But I hope that in the next few days, this dialogue will resume harmoniously. We need this champion to be happy to wear this kimono, to feel good. I have confidence, I think that we will find this solution in the days to come. »
On the crisis at the FFF: “It’s up to Le Graët to make the right decisions”
“It is the defense strategy of his lawyers (to say that there was no evidence overwhelming Noël Le Graët). We delivered our work with the right methods and in complete independence. The General Inspectorate delivered its conclusions in respect of the parties, of the adversarial process. It is now up to the authorities to take hold of the situation, it is up to Noël Le Graët to make the right decisions. The Comex meeting is taking place on February 28. I am confident that the authorities will be able to assume their responsibilities and that a solution to this crisis can be quickly found. We must look to the future with what these great French football teams and this great French passion for football deserve. »