D-100 Olympic Games Paris 2024: Kamel Chibli speaks of an “exceptional vintage” for the athletes from Occitanie competing in the Olympic Games

For Kamel Chibli, this density is the fruit of “eight years of work to support sport in the Region and particularly at the high level.” Midi Libre – MICHAEL ESDOURRUBAILH

The vice-president of the Region, in charge of sports, reasonably believes in a harvest of at least ten to fifteen medals for our athletes, which would make Occitanie one of the leading provider regions.

You are in charge of sport in the Occitanie Region. What does this wave of regional athletes vying for a place in the Olympics inspire you? ?

We actually identified around a hundred. I have the feeling that this year we have an exceptional vintage between the young generation who are arriving and the elders who still have ambition. We can reasonably hope for between 10 and 15 medals at least, which would certainly make us the leading supplier region.

How to explain such density ?

It is the fruit of eight years of work since we were elected in 2016. The 2020 Olympics, with covid, was very special and the results stand out more today. We worked to support clubs, leagues, committees, we launched a program to promote our high-level structures, notably the Creps, and we equipped them. The BMX facilities in Sérignan or rowing facilities in Beaucaire are top-notch! We have a first concrete return with all the French teams who come to prepare with us, judo and volleyball in the lead. But also many other foreign selections. We are in contact with the French Gymnastics Federation which wants to organize an international event here, proof of our attractiveness.

The map of regional preparation courses already recorded. Midi Libre – Antoine Llop

How many high-level athletes do you support ?

Approximately 900. Either directly through scholarships, or through indirect aid via high-level structures, particularly for accommodation. We work with the federations, we liaise with everyone. It’s hard to emerge for some but when you help a 14-year-old athlete like Louise-Aina Taboulet, our great hope from Aude in skateboarding, you invest in the future, in the next Games&hellip ;