“For me, it was a dream”: Frédéric, employee of La Poste, among the bearers of the Olympic flame in Montpellier

Frédéric Jardin fait partie des 140 salariés de La Poste sélectionnés pour porter la flamme olympique. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Human resources advisor, based at the Rondelet post office in Montpellier, but also a lifelong runner, Frédéric Jardin will participate in the Olympic torch relay on May 13.

"Carrying the Olympic flame is an immense source of pride. For me, it was a dream." Selected for the relay of the emblematic torch, on May 13 in Montpellier, Frédéric Jardin does not hide his happiness at soon experiencing a historic moment. This 56-year-old postal worker, human resources advisor, based on the Rondelet site, was chosen by his company, official supporter of the event. There are 140 employees of La Poste, across France, to have this privilege.

Sports and associative investment

"Last October, the group invited staff to apply to carry the Olympic flame. I presented my profile: my professional, associative and sporting investment, in line with the values ​​of Olympicism. When I received an email inviting me to sign the charter of the torch bearers, I understood that it was off to a good start!"< /em>, confides the Montpellier native, whose career is marked by the practice of athletics and commitment to serving others. From his youth in scouting, Frédéric explains that he kept "a notion of personal service and volunteering."

Coming from a family of athletes, he has been running since he was very young, with several national titles to his name. He even followed the Staps course (training for sports professionals, Editor's note) up to a master's degree, before joining La Poste. Today, he has his Védas Endurance card. But that’s not all. Frédéric invests himself with the most deprived by participating in the Order of Malta’s marauding campaigns. "I am also a member of the Adot 34 association, for raising awareness of bone marrow donation, he adds.< em> We work in particular with young people during Defense Days, in high schools, in faculties of medicine and pharmacy".

A job dedicated to support

A action with others that is found in one's profession : "I take care of supporting staff in their promotional projects, their geographic mobility or their departure from the company. It’is a job that requires taking an interest in their journey." This CV could only attract attention during the selection of the flame bearers. "I'm waiting to know, d& rsquo;by the end of the month, the precise section of the course on which I will run. We each do 200 meters."

Frédéric's children and granddaughter will of course be there. As well as a good dose of emotion. Frédéric has in mind all his memories of the Olympic Games experienced in front of the television. "Those of Los Angeles in 1984, with the four gold medals of Carl Lewis". Going back further in time, another figure of Olympicism comes to mind: "Alain Mimoun , gold medal in the marathon in Melbourne under a blazing sun (in 1956, Editor's note). A humble, very inspiring character."

Note that a La Poste employee, Thu Kamkasomphou, is qualified for the table tennis events of the Paralympic Games.