2023-11-29 05:06:35
The announcement of her non-selection is still “hard to go through” for Julia Tolofua. From the Étoiles du Sport in Tignes (Savoie), the over 78 kg judoka expressed her incomprehension and her terrible disappointment at the idea of having been excluded from the race for qualification for the Olympic Games.
As a reminder, this Friday, November 24, the French Judo Federation announced the selection of ten French people for the Paris Olympics next summer, including Romane Dicko, individual bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, champion of Europe in Montpellier a few weeks ago and who is playing in the same category as Julia Tolofua.
“We were sent an email but it did not stipulate that our presence at the announcement was obligatory,” relates the judokate. As I was led to believe that the selection between Romane and me would take place in February, I did not go. I had important phone meetings but saw that I had three missed calls from my coach. I told myself that something was happening and at the same time I received a message from Romane, who said to me: I’m sorry Ju.
“It’s a dream that’s shattered”
Directly, it was incomprehension for the native of Nice, who then contacted her coach who confirmed the selection. “Obviously I’m amazed,” she adds. I’m sad, frustrated and above all I don’t understand. It’s a dream that’s shattered. »
The president of the French Judo Federation, Stéphane Nomis, has not contacted him until now, assures the judokate who sent him a message over the weekend. It was via the Bartoli Time show on RMC on Sunday that he justified this choice. “We were very clear, the selection committee does not choose from one tournament, it will choose from several tournaments,” he explained. And the facts are there. Five major world tournaments, four gold medals for Romane Dicko. For me, there is no subject, Romane is above it. »
But Julia Tolofua, returning from shoulder surgery, regrets that she was made to think that the selection would be decided at the end of the Paris Grand Slam, organized from February 2 to 4. “For me it’s an injustice,” she claims. We are told that athletes are given a chance and ultimately not at all. For me, I say it again, we remain pawns. We train for four years and they, with a snap of their fingers, make you understand that they had already made their choice. »
A shock so violent for Julia Tolofua that she admits to having thought about putting away the kimono. And added: “And on the other hand, I tell myself that there are other great deadlines”, before bursting into tears. “It’s very hard,” she then apologized between sobs. It’s very complicated trying to concentrate while we’re being blasted on the spot. It was announced so early. »
“It’s Tuesday and I’m still waiting for an answer”
Also, the judokate regrets not having any news from the president of her Federation since the announcement. “I had no one apart from Christophe Massina (the boss of the women’s delegation) who warned me about it. But otherwise I had absolutely no one. (…) It’s Tuesday and I’m still waiting for a response. He is a president, he is still supposed to be accessible to his athletes who bring him medals. There is a real problem of consideration and communication. »
For now, a delicate reservist position awaits him. “I don’t wish harm on anyone but if something happens, it still destroyed us and we would have to refocus to participate in the Games,” she laments. I came back really well from my shoulder, I’m ahead of my rehabilitation. For me, it is the one who wins the Grand Slam in Paris who must make the Games. » Julia Tolofua, who must resume the technique at the beginning of December, nevertheless assures that she will show up. “My goal still remains to win it,” she concluded.
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