This small Cévennes village which made volleyball player Jean Patry, Olympic gold medalist, its honorary citizen

Tous réunis dans le jardin public autour de Jean Patry. MIDI LIBRE – DR

Jean Patry, gold medalist at the Paris Olympics, was given a hero's welcome in Vialas, in Lozère, where he has come regularly since his childhood.

Friday August 16, the municipality of Vialas, a village of 430 inhabitants in the Lozère Cévennes, invited the population to pay tribute to Jean Patry, gold medalist volleyball player at the last Games Olympic Games in Paris (he was also at the previous Olympic Games in Tokyo).

After congratulating himself on having top-level athletes and Olympic medallists among its residents, Michel Reydon, the mayor, presented the champion with the honorary citizen diploma. Sophie Pantel, MP for Lozère, specified that she had not opted for the torch to pass through Lozère because she preferred to devote the equivalent budget to sending 250 young Lozériens to attend the Games in Paris. Valérie Fuscien, sub-prefect of Florac, paid tribute to the athletes and to Jean Patry: “They contribute by their example to the education and socialization of French youth.”

Back to basics

The recipient responded with the simplicity and sincerity that characterize him; he specified that he felt an intense emotion and pride to be part of a nation such as France, he who has just lived a year in Poland and who is preparing to leave for Turkey for the new sports season. He was pleased to have so many friends and admirers in Vialas. Returning to Feigerole, to his parents' hamlet, is always a great joy for him.

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