” The only thing that was making us a little upset was that we weren't going to have the Marseillaise… » Jules Rambaut and his 3×3 basketball teammates still got their national anthem.
The public at the Place de la Concorde took care of this while the organisation prepared, as protocol dictates, the anthem of the Dutch, winners of the gold medal at the expense of the French.
Huge audience at the Concorde singing the Marseillaise at the podium to congratulate our Blues #3×3 as if they had won.
“In any case, they won the hearts of the public.” ❤️
(Credit: France TV) pic.twitter.com/8MtpF1OYsV— Franck MTD-BB (@MrTripleDble) August 5, 2024
” Pfff… chills “, ” incredible, incredible “… The words of the members of the French team, who finished arm in arm, fail to describe this moment of a life. This silver medal obtained, while they were not favored by the predictions, the Blues believe they owe it partly to this support received in the stands.
Destabilized opponents?
And this ” from the first match “, notes Lucas Dussoulier, according to whom he and his teammates have “ showed a pretty impeccable face from the beginning. The public understood that, that we had given everything no matter what, from beginning to end. Honestly, they pushed us so much… Without them, I think we are 7th or 8th. The medal goes to them too because they pushed us incredibly hard. »
A craze that has been noticeable almost everywhere in France since the start of the Games. Also having such an incredible audience boosted us, and maybe put a little pressure on the others. “, judges Jules Rambaut, thinking of the matches won against the Serbs, bronze medalists in Tokyo and the Latvians, reigning Olympic champions. Two teams candidates for the supreme title.
This French men's team was less expected at the start of the competition, and even less so given a very tricky first round. Much less expected than their women's counterparts, who were eliminated before even reaching the “play-in”.
“ We are really disappointed for them. We really wanted them to do better, but when they lost, they didn't let us go. They didn't give us the cold shoulder, they didn't support us right away. Obviously, we are happy to share this with them. », Enthuses Lucas Dussoulier.
A promotion for the Blues and their discipline
Also, this silver medal is a ” great promotion for the 3×3 discipline ” continues coach Karim Souchu. From the Place de la Concorde, the 3×3 Blues, who were making their debut on the Olympic stage, were exposed like never before. And with them their sport recently introduced to the Games, during Tokyo 2020.
” We knew anyway that if this sport was broadcast, it would be popular. “, notes Timothé Vergiat, adding: “ It's a super dynamic discipline, with incredible twists and turns. I don't know if you (the journalists) (knew) 3×3, but I think everyone who came here found something quite gripping, quite stressful. It may not be fun to watch all the time. »
It was nice, however, to see this team get one last taste of the Place de la Concorde, the place of their exploits, before leaving the stage. We all said to ourselves that we had to enjoy the atmosphere, the pitch, our fans, our families, because what we did was still great. We had to give everyone a little more joy. “, continues the leader.
After all, as he says, “ We are forever the first to bring home an Olympic medal in 3×3. No one can take that away from us. “The Parisian public understood this well.
Interview by Dimitri Kucharczyk in Paris.
