Federations: horse riding, judo, rugby ... before the elections, all shots are allowed

A little girl with quilts and a caption “Hello, I'm Sainte-Nitouche.

Make me FFE president, I will do what you want ”.

The message was sent (anonymously) to all riding clubs.

The cartoon - particularly in bad taste as French sport grapples with cases of sexual violence affecting children - is said to represent Anne de Sainte Marie, a candidate for the presidency of the French Equestrian Federation.

“I didn't press charges,” she says, explaining that her strategy is to ignore these types of attacks.

This summer, Marie-Christine Cazier, launched in the race for the presidency of the French Athletics Federation, has pushed the door of the police station and filed a complaint.

As a result of "malicious phone calls," she says.

“I was long taken for an idiot, continues the former sprinter, but I am leading a real field campaign.

"

In many institutions, there is a nauseating climate.

The prospect of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris is no doubt no stranger to this tension, with many leaders dreaming of being in the stands for what will be the sporting event of the century in France.

“We are sometimes far from the values ​​advocated by judo, believes Stéphane Nomis, candidate for the presidency of the federation against Jean-Luc Rougé.

In some committees that I visit, people refuse to be photographed with me for fear of reprisals.

"

"We're running into disaster"

Emilie Andéol wanted to run in Gironde on a “pro-Nomis” list.

His candidacy, out of time according to the federation, was rejected, despite the proposal for conciliation from the Olympic Committee.

The latter still had to intervene so that the famous Gironde list is validated, but without the Olympic champion.

"Democratic life is guaranteed and has meaning only in the respect of the rules", pings the federation.

Almost everywhere, blows are exchanged.

On the handball side, three lists are opposed, in particular those of DTN Philippe Bana and Olivier Giraud, ex-captain of the Blues.

Here again, we point to the regulations.

A note is circulating, attempting to demonstrate that Bana, by virtue of his status as a state agent, would not be authorized to run for president of a federation where he exercises functions.

Regardless of the future winner, the battle is likely to leave traces, especially as several ex-internationals have sided with one of the lists.

Atmosphere, too, in rugby, where the knives have been out for a long time already.

"If Bernard Laporte manages France 2023

as he has done for four years with the FFR, we are heading for disaster", tackles his opponent Florian Grill.

Opposite, Bernard Laporte attacks one by one the supporters of Grill (in particular Serge Blanco and Jean-Claude Skrela).

"It's like a political campaign"

Gilles Moretton, him, baptized his list "together for another tennis.

"A formula that says a lot about what the ex-tennis player thinks of the current president, Bernard Giudicelli:" We are in the middle of oneself and it is very complicated to kick in the anthill.

There will be betrayals, people bought at the last minute, but I have confidence.

"

Many people want to give the “kick in the anthill”.

"I have a lot of respect for what Serge Lecomte did, but today, equestrian centers are waiting for projects," said Anne de Sainte Marie.

While Florian Grill, in rugby, made the “summer barbecue tour”, the 36-year-old woman organized 110 meetings, and set up a crowdfunding campaign to finance them.

“A campaign for the presidency of a federation is like a political campaign,” she notes.

I have given myself the means to inform the clubs.

"For most of the new candidates," we must occupy the field ", but" the bonus for leaving is certain ".

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The supporters of Grill thus denounce the fact that the France 2023 train which "as if by chance, is currently promoting the World Cup in France, an event which takes place in three years, also makes it possible to advertise Laporte".

They also recall that their candidate did not have access to the listing of clubs, useful for making known his ideas.

The outgoing team would also have the advantage of choosing the date of the election (scheduled for October 3), the campaign period.

Some presidents are running for a 4th or 5th term

The governance reform, announced ages ago, has still not been implemented.

Some presidents are running for a fourth or fifth term and know all the ins and outs.

And the voting system (often a system of large voters) tends to lock the system.

"The presidents in place start as late as possible, but take advantage of their travels during general meetings of the committees

, at the expense of the federations, to campaign, they distribute the positions even before explaining their ideas, ”denounces a postulant.

"I was told that I was too young to start," laughs Yohan Penel, badminton candidate and aged 36

.

“We have a collaborative approach since we build the program and the list according to the ideas and profiles that emerge,” he concludes.

We have to bring out new people, break the codes.

For the sake of sport.

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"What image are we showing?"

Candidate for her own succession at the head of the Fencing Federation, Isabelle Lamour for her part is annoyed by the tensions that reign during the campaign.

“I entered the campaign late because I felt it would have been indecent in a period of Covid, when the clubs are mainly waiting for help.

I'm talking about list and program via, in particular, Facebook Live, adapted to sanitary conditions, ”she explains.

“I have in front of a candidate

who turns, who calls for two years.

It's legitimate to talk about a program, but this election is taking a bad turn, she judges.

I am a candidate for pleasure, but I am attacked in different areas, which forces me to justify myself.

No, I will not be a candidate for the Olympic committee.

No, I don't have a company car.

No, I don't have any hidden benefits.

"" At one point, that's enough.

But what image are we showing of sport as clubs pick up in difficult conditions?

adds Isabelle Lamour.

We do not elect the President of the Republic, we must put things into perspective!

These are projects that licensees are waiting for.

"