“This warm welcome is enormous”: Jean Patry, Olympic volleyball gold medalist, returns to Vialas in Lozère

Jean Patry a célébré sa médaille d’or olympique à Vialas, avec ses proches et ses fans. Midi Libre – Correspondant

On the occasion of the Vialas votive festival, from Thursday 15 to Monday 19 August 2024, Jean Patry hosted the volleyball tournament organised in the town, presented his medal to the public, and gave an interview to Midi Libre.

Jean Patry, who competed in the Paris Olympic Games with the French volleyball team, returned to his homeland in Lozère. In Vialas, he took part in the votive festival and hosted a volleyball tournament this Thursday, August 15, 2024. The opportunity for our correspondent Midi Libre to look back with him on this Olympic coronation, the second of his career after that of 2021 in Tokyo.

After rubbing shoulders with the gods of Olympus, how are you experiencing the return to earth in Vialas ?

Quite naturally, I received an exceptional welcome here, both from my family and friends, as well as from the supporters. The whole village had gathered on the terrace of Teuffy's, just like when I came in 2021 (first Olympic title in Tokyo, Editor's note). I was very touched and I realize how incredibly lucky I am.

How did you experience your fortnight in the Olympic Village ?

It was very good, the team remained united, we had agreed not to spread ourselves too thin, to stay focused on the goal of competing against the other teams.

What emotions did you feel during the closing night of the games ?

We didn't go to that party; we lived that moment at Club France with family and friends.

During the tournament, which opponents gave you the most difficulty ?

The match against the Slovenians who beat us 3 sets to 2 but which still allowed us to meet Germany in the quarter-finals. The matches against Germany, against Italy in the semi-finals, and against Poland in the final were not easy even if we managed them well.

Which team, apart from yours, did you like the most ?

It's difficult to say that we liked our opponents because the battles were tough but we really enjoyed the semi-final and the final.

How did you experience the atmosphere within the French team??

The relationships with all the French teams were fantastic. We were united, we encouraged each other, we sometimes helped each other… The enthusiasm among all the French people was great, it was a real strength.

Faced with the fervor of the supporters and their enthusiasm, what did you feel??

This fervor and enthusiasm carried us to victory. It warmed our hearts, they supported us throughout the competitions, it was great, a great pleasure.

How did you experience your return to Feigérole and this welcome from Vialas' fans ?

This warm and exceptional welcome is huge every time. How lucky to have such true, close friends! And the Vialas fan zone also brings me a lot of satisfaction.

How do you see the future in the immediate future and what are your plans??

The event of the moment is the volleyball tournament of the festival in Vialas. The village festival will last for 4 days, then there are the holidays with family and friends to have a good time. After that, I will go back to my team Galatasaray in Istanbul (Turkey) where the competition will be less stressful, where I will have a little more time for myself.

After so much honor and so many tributes to thank?

A crowd of friends of course: my family, my close friends and all this public without whom we would not have been able to win this gold medal.

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