Connect with us

SPORTS

Why the French basketball team is skipping the ceremony and will be in a bubble at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Published

on

By

The French men’s basketball team has chosen to leave the Olympic village and follow the opening ceremony remotely. A carefully considered decision.

At the Club France in La Villette

The magic of the Olympic Games is – at least in part – this great melting pot of the village. Athletes from all walks of life meet there, exchange, from the most famous to the most anonymous. A unique emulation. And there is the ceremony, this moment that remains etched in the memories for the rest of your life. The Olympic Games, in short. The Blues of basketball have chosen to deprive themselves of it in Paris 2024 (July 26-August 11). There is already the choice of the organization, which sent the 5×5 basketball players to the North. The group stage will take place at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq for men and women, before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in Paris. The rest is the decision of the French Basketball Federation and the staff. A thoughtful choice.

We wanted to be in the best conditions for training and recovery, to have all the staff with us.

Boris Diaw

“We are very well set up. We wanted to be in the best conditions for training and recovery, to have all the staff with us. This allows us to have facilities for training schedules.”summarizes Boris Diaw, general manager of the French men’s team. Indeed, you have to show your credentials to train when you are in the traditional fold, with imposed schedules and tight timings. This will not be the case for the Tricolores, who will be able to work and recover according to their desires, their needs, their choices. And God knows that there is work to be done between now and France-Brazil, Saturday (5:15 p.m.), after a preparation ended with four defeats…

A real luxury for the Olympic vice-champions, who took up residence at the CREPS (Centre for Sports Resources, Expertise and Performance) in Wattignies on Monday, the day after their defeat against Australia (82-83) in Orléans. If they reach the quarter-finals, they will go on to INSEP, where they would dream of an Olympic podium.

The Blues present at the opening, they

Note that Jean-Aimé Toupane’s players have chosen to stay in the Olympic village. Each to their own. However, the Blues are not unhappy with this strategic decision that has been known for a while. Moreover, they will also have to watch the opening ceremony… on their northern television set. “We’re playing the next day. So no. If we had been in Paris or if we were playing two days later… But there, it was impossible.”explains Diaw. Here again, a difference with the women’s team, who will travel from Lille to Paris. Except that the French women’s team will not start its tournament until Monday against Canada. “We chose together. It was important to share this moment, it’s a unique experience and it can give us an adrenaline rush, put us at the heart of the Games while we are a little apart in Lille.”notes Valériane Ayayi, captain of the Blues.

The fact remains that Vincent Collet’s players are not afraid of this lack of flavour by being deprived of the village or the opening ceremony. “Performance is the most important thing and that’s good. It’s a big tournament that we’re looking forward to, a big level. We won’t do certain things, it’s a shame, but we’re focused on basketball.”assures the captain, Nicolas Batum, who is one of those who played in the final phase of Euro 2015 at Pierre-Mauroy, with a bronze medal to his name. “The stadium? It’s very big… It’s imposing, spacious and we can’t wait to be there. In 2015, we had an extraordinary energy, it will be crazy, we can’t wait to be there. We felt the energy of the public in preparation. There, there will be almost 30,000 people, it will be a crazy atmosphere.”devine «Batman».

It won’t be a 100% Olympic experience without the ceremony and the village. But we know our goals.

Isaïa Cordinier

The French, however, do not hide. Like Isaïa Cordinier, they readily acknowledge that “It won’t be a 100% Olympic experience without the ceremony and the village. But we know our goals.”Olympic gold, or at least a medal, like in Sydney and Tokyo.

Rudy Gobert was there in 2015 and at the Tokyo Olympics. He is therefore well placed to discuss these subjects: “We had the chance to see the infrastructure, discover the stadium, but I knew it from having been to Euro 2015. It could be incredible, I hope it will be full.”says the four-time NBA defender of the year, about the usual Losc lair. And to add, on the choice to skip the village: “The positive point is that we are a little more in our bubble, less distraction, with the village and all the actions that can be there… There are thousands of athletes in the cafeteria, more requests especially for NBA players because the other athletes are sometimes fans. After that, it’s also very cool. But at Creps, the infrastructure is very good, we have access to basketball rooms, equipment for recovery or weight training whenever we want. Peace and security, that’s priceless. It was a very good decision. I hope it will allow us to be in the best possible frame of mind and have a good time together. Positive.”

Lille, the madness of grandeur

As for being in Lille, Bercy being busy the first week of the Olympics, there were reservations. They have not been completely erased. But “Everyone who was there in 2015 talked about it, it was a milestone for them”as Mathias Lessort relates. “The stadium? Even empty, it’s already impressive.”enthuses rookie Bilal Coulibaly, who is experiencing his first campaign in Blue, like a certain Victor Wembanyama. “We would all like to taste the Olympic experience, to do the opening ceremony, to be in the village, but you have to know what you want and this is the right choice. The conditions are more optimal for performance.”analyzes the 20-year-old prodigy.

The village of Lille with only basketball players, we don’t really care, we see them all year round.

Evan Fournier

With his usual frankness, Evan Fournier has the final word: “There are two things, the village of Lille with only basketball players, we don’t really care, we see them all year round. There was mainly a reflection for Paris. There is a particular energy in the village, we experienced it in Tokyo. But we have to know what we want, be focused on ourselves, have everything available and be in the best conditions. In Tokyo, there were quite a few constraints, especially on training.”. In Lille and Paris, there are no constraints. The future will tell whether these arrangements will allow the Blues to achieve an epic as successful as during the last Olympic Games in Japan, three years ago…

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SPORTS

SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

Published

on

By

The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

SPORTS

NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

Published

on

By

In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

SPORTS

A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

Published

on

By

Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

Trending

error: Content is protected !!