Three Olympic volunteers receive the medal of the city of Bagnols-sur-Cèze, “I saw things that spectators cannot see”

Marine Berthomieu, Benjamin Brissac and Sylvain Costenoble, in official Olympic volunteers' uniform, received the medal of the city of Bagnols-sur-Cèze from the hands of Mayor Jean-Yves Chapelet on Saturday, September 7. C.B.

Benjamin Brissac a ramené des pins de nombreux pays qui ont participé aux JO. C.B.

On Saturday, September 7, three volunteers from the Paris Olympic Games received the medal from the city of Bagnols-sur-Cèze. They tell us about their unique experience.

These three Bagnols Olympic volunteers, Marine Berthomieu, Benjamin Brissac and Sylvain Costenoble, did not know each other and found themselves in official uniform in front of the Salle des Eyrieux on Saturday 7 September in Bagnols-sur-Cèze to receive the town's medal from the hands of Mayor Jean-Yves Chapelet, who hailed them as “the flag bearers of Bagnols“. Two other volunteers from the town were missing, held back in Paris for their mission at the Paralympic Games.

“Teddy Riner is very impressive!”

“I saw things that spectators can't see” remembers Benjamin Brissac from his two-week experience at the Olympics. This salesman and volunteer for 20 years at the Bagnols judo club was in charge of the athletes for judo and wrestling. The Bagnolais was thus able to rub shoulders with the French judoka Teddy Riner, “he is very impressive as were also the Brazilian and the Georgian. They have an incredible aura". And experience the emotions of these extraordinary athletes.“Athletes cried hot tears, there were a lot of emotions. When the Japanese favorite lost, she collapsed, screamed… It happens in the mixed zone. The public doesn't see that, it's the corridor of tears. Another memory he won't forget: “I shook hands with Albert of Monaco!” smiles the judoka.

Sylvain Costenoble, an engineer at CEA Marcoule and volunteer at the Bagnols table tennis club, was in charge of the players in his sport. “There was a great team of volunteers. There was the Lebrun brothers' family, who are from Montpellier”. Félix, by the way “came to play in Bagnols when he was 10 years old for a championship” he recalls. “On the last day I was lucky enough to be in the locker room with the two finalists, gold medalist (China) and silver medalist(Sweden), before the medal ceremony".

All three enjoyed "the good atmosphere. When you put on the volunteer uniform, the barriers fall, it's a community with a lot of mutual support" emphasizes Marine Berthomieu who "lived two dream weeks. I accompanied the spectators from the RER exit to the stands for the boxing and fencing competitions of the modern pentathlon“, at the Paris Nord Arena, she explains.

A head full of memories, but not only that. “We're keeping our outfits!” the three volunteers are delighted. Benjamin Brissac even brought back many pins from the countries participating in the Olympic Games. “When it ended, afterwards, there was a big drop, like a lack! The Olympics are a lot of action, emotions…”.

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