He represents Sète at the Olympics: Benjamin Toniutti, “I had stars in my eyes and, suddenly, I sang the Marseillaise”

Il a presque tout gagné avec l’équipe de France. Mais rien n’égale les Jeux.

the essential Benjamin Toniutti, Olympic volleyball champion, will put his title back on the line this summer in Paris. The adopted Sétois, captain of the French team, talks about his relationship with the Games.

Some childhood dreams can come true, others exceed expectations. That of Benjamin Toniutti, a Sétois by adoption since he flew the colors of Arago, is part of the second category.

Already bitten at seven years old

Three years ago, in Tokyo, he and his group of friends gave France its first Olympic volleyball title.

The kid who, during the summer of 1996, was literally absorbed by the Atlanta Games from a campsite in Italy, had just become a legend. « I was seven years old, my parents had rented a bungalow home and my mother was complaining because my father and I spent almost all our days inside watching TV. I perfectly remember the final between Italy and Holland, a crazy match…hellip; Today, I wear the n° 6 compared to Papi. And Giani is now my coach in the national team. It’s crazy. »

The ultimate boss

Growing up, Benjamin Toniutti was nourished by « these beautiful stories which mark ». Bolt's world record, the victory of the handball players in London, the French swimmers, Riner's first medals… Today, he himself is part of these beautiful stories. « The Olympics are a bit like the ultimate boss in video games. You want to go but you know it’s going to be hard. In Tokyo, the match against Russia changes everything and, behind it, everything comes together. And we are Olympic champions… Before, I had stars in my eyes and, suddenly, I am there, singing the Marseillaise. That day, we created something special for French sport, volleyball players are no longer the ugly ducklings who don't win. »

An extraordinary washing machine

After a first campaign, in Rio in 2016, concluded with a 9th place, Benjamin and his Blues experienced the Games like few elected officials. « After our title, we were in the cafeteria and, twenty minutes later, the handball players arrived and we celebrated our titles together. It was an incredible moment. That’s what the Games are all about. I remember that, when we were sometimes at the bottom of the bucket, we came across handball players and their support always made us feel good. The Games are something special, we are in an extraordinary washing machine, a real happy mess. »

The strength of the symbol

With volleyball friends, during his return to Sète.

And, when we have the pleasure of bringing home a medal, especially in gold, we enter a different category.. Much superior. « Winning a Champions League with your club is extraordinary (Editor's note: Benjamin Toniutti did it in 2021 with his Polish club Kedzierzyn-Kozle). But it’s incomparable, in terms of emotion and awareness. When a friend comes to your house and takes the Olympic medal, you immediately see the importance of the symbol. I still see it today, three years later. I have a small trophy room at home and some people are even embarrassed to have the medal in their hands. »

After the Games ?

They may soon have the opportunity to touch another one. The dream conclusion for Benjamin Toniutti on the international scene ? Not sure. « There, we will experience these Games to the fullest at home, as reigning champions. Without ever forgetting that we are privileged and that this will never happen to us again. As for my international career, I do not want, like some athletes, to announce a decision. Obviously, after the Games, I will sit down to think. I've been with the French team for fifteen years, I'm closer to the end than the beginning. I'm going to take my time, but people who know me know that the only thing I'm missing is a gold medal at the world championships…hellip; »

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