The smiling faces of the athletes supported by the Val-de-Marne department welcome families looking for free sports activities on large posters. This Sunday, the leisure island of Créteil offers cycling and water activities for the launch of the Val-de-Marne Games, 2023 edition. This new time, called Cycl'eau, opens the operation again turned towards the Olympic and Paralympic Games of Paris 2024.
Like last year, the stands are not short of banners with the Olympic rings. "It's all over the place, it's good," said Adam, 12. The schoolboy who lives in Créteil, in the Echat district, already likes to talk about the event with his friends and dreams of attending one of the competitions. In the meantime, it is with his brothers Lucas, 7 years old and Abel, 9 years old, that they test the proposed activities.
Family photos on a podium
"I succeeded!" exclaims the youngest after his successful attempts to throw balls into a wooden stand bearing the Games mascot. "We have to find all the mascots, for the treasure hunt on the Olympics," says the boy. Coming as a family, the three children will be able to sail, as they dreamed.
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After a family photo on a podium, cuts in their hands, the boys try BMX with pleasure. Perhaps they will also discuss with some of the athletes expected to reach podiums at next year's Olympics? Dora Tchakounté and Garance Rigaud (weightlifting champions) and Léo Bories (pentathlon champion) were announced for this opening of the Val-de-Marne Games but were not present this Sunday morning.
On June 18, the Val'Dingo 94, an extraordinary race
Several high-level athletes have signed an agreement with the department, for which they work while training. Last March, Léo Bories, pride of the VGA Saint-Maur omnisports in modern pentathlon, was even the sponsor of sports meetings for the youth of Val-de-Marne, around the Olympics.
"We come mainly for the activities, it's rare to do such pleasant and free things," Cyrille and Safia say as they get off a pedal boat. Thirty minutes enjoying on the water of Lake Créteil delighted them. "Our three-year-old even fell asleep because it was so peaceful! We saw swans up close with their young, it was really an exceptional moment. »
Many water activities were offered this Sunday at the leisure island of Créteil with Cycl'eau. LP/Laure Parny
Seduced by the Val-de-Marne Games, the Vitry family will probably go to one of the next meetings organized by many municipalities in the department, between now and June 18. Two highlights are expected to attract hundreds of participants. On June 10, the Departmental Olympic and Sports Committee Challenge will take place from 13 p.m. to 18 p.m. at Parc du Tremblay in Champigny-sur-Marne. "The objective of this event is to advocate and disseminate the values of sport through about twenty sports and cultural activities," says the department.
Finally, to close the Val-de-Marne Games in style, the Val'Dingo 94 is renewed on June 18, at the Parc de Choisy (southern plain). You must register to participate in this extraordinary obstacle course and always exceptional atmosphere.
The entire programme of the Val-de-Marne Games on valdemarne.fr