An orange balloon is held above their heads, loudly chanting the name “Endy”.
The guard of honor of the children of the Rémois clubs brought their best smile to the local basketball player Endy Miyem.
It was a real star welcome that she received this Wednesday, February 7, in the gymnasium that now bears her name.
For Angel, 10 years old, it is well deserved.
“Seeing her in front of my eyes is impressive, she’s super strong.
She's a real celebrity!
», says the budding basketball player.
The sportswoman's track record is enough to turn heads: 7 French champion titles, double Olympic medalist (London and Tokyo), one European champion title.
But Endy's remains firmly on his shoulders.
The 35-year-old young woman carries out her journey with great humility.
Accessible, the sportswoman participated in workshops initiated with young basketball players from Reims clubs and took the time to answer questions.
“I want to show them that it is possible to achieve a great sporting career by being born in Reims.
I want to be a model, an example of proximity.
It is also a message for all girls, all women.
There is more space for them to express themselves in this sport but in all the others too.”
“A player from Reims can play at the highest level”
Terry, 14, has eyes that shine as he listens to his words.
The young basketball player, who wore the purple jersey of her club, aspires to a similar career: “It shows us that a player from Reims can progress at the highest level.
It’s very encouraging for me.”
The one who was captain of the French team at the age of 29, also wore the colors of numerous French clubs such as Toulouse, Bourges, Montpellier and Charleville-Mézières but also international ones (Russia, Italy, USA).
She has been playing since the start of the season at ASVEL (Lyon Villeurbanne Basket) and could be selected for the French team for the Paris Olympics.
A pride for all the people of Rémois and particularly for Jacques, his father, who passed on his passion for the orange ball.
“As a little girl, she came with me to the courts when I was training.
Today, it is a very beautiful tribute to him.
We honor her work and the fact that she carried the French flag high.”
Next June, on the occasion of the passing of the Olympic torch in the Marne, Endy Miyem will continue to fly the colors of his hometown.
She will be a torch relay alongside many other athletes and volunteers from Reims on June 30 in Reims.