Solidarity: gymnast Samir Aït Saïd has never forgotten the Restos du cœur

In Champigny-sur-Marne (Val-de-Marne) at the end of the 1990s, a little boy of 7-8 years old accompanied his mother, bundle in hand.

With a carefree step, he walks towards a local in the city where he grew up.

The little boy is called Samir Aït Saïd.

The premises in question are home to the Restos du cœur.

Entered into collective memory for his spectacular and serious injury at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016, Samir Aït Saïd, who is now 31 years old, recalls this period of his life with modesty and restraint: “Yes, when I was young, I must have eaten thanks to the Restos du cœur, confides the gymnast, world bronze medalist on the rings in 2019. It may however seem weird to you, but what I keep from these moments at the Restos is very pleasant.

I was just a little boy and for me it was normal to go.

I thought everyone was doing the same thing and had the right to.

I saw other children who did like me.

I didn't know what was behind it.

I didn't know why we were there and that the people I passed were in need.

There is no such thing as being in need when you're a little boy.

"

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His parents did not tell him that behind the association created by Coluche hides insecurity, difficult ends of the month and hunger: “My mom had several odd jobs, my dad also worked a lot but it was complicated all the same. recalls the unfortunate hero of Rio.

My parents weren't rolling for gold, but I didn't miss anything because they were very brave.

They fought for their children.

If they had to deprive themselves, they were the ones who sacrificed themselves and neither I nor my sister knew anything about it.

I had fantastic parents.

"

"In the imagination of a little boy, these are significant moments"

At the end of the century, little Samir therefore sees going out to Restaurants as a sacred moment of the week: "I remember going there at Christmas time," says the man who dreams of a golden medal at the Tokyo Games, next summer.

We had been given small gifts, we had received chocolates, Santa Claus was there.

We walked around the room and left with our little packed lunch.

In a little boy's imagination, these are defining moments and I am unable to say how long it lasted for my parents.

"

It was while growing up that the young Samir realized what Restaurants represent: “I didn't say much about the fact that I had to go there when I was young.

It is not a taboo subject nor a shame but as you grow up you realize who benefits from it.

And today, I still don't dare ask my mom why I had to go.

"

The clip of the champions who sing the hymn of the Restaurants

25 years later, in the name of the association, Samir Aït Saïd likes to remember especially the second part: “It's true, for me what matters most is not

Eating

but

heart

, confides the champion.

The association, human and of great benevolence, has always been there for me and my family.

We met people there, I found children who were with me at school.

The people were nice, simple.

It was a warm, almost friendly place for the little guy that I was.

I was asked how I was.

It's sharing.

"

Samir Aït Saïd sings the hymn of the restos du cœur, alongside Guy Forget, Corinne Deacon or Claude Onesta./DR  

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For the gymnast, son of a Kabyle family, now based in Antibes, helping in turn was naturally necessary.

“It may be due to my time at the Restaurants but I like to help,” he says.

Giving without expecting anything in return is the strongest thing.

I tell myself that there is always someone in a worse situation than ours and if I can make that person smile again, I won my day.

"

While waiting tonight for the new @isalange show, listen or re-listen to last Sunday's show with our champions of the Stars of Sport: @GilleGuillaume and @ samiraitsaid1 https://t.co/oGVhF6TMBN @RTLFrance #lesportaducoeur #Handball #gymnastics pic.twitter.com/QgTArTowPX

- The Stars of Sport (@EtoilesduSport) February 7, 2021

The one who will soon become a dad has become one of the major players in the “Sport has a heart” operation launched by the “Sports stars” in favor of the Restos du cœur: “If one day, Restaurants need a volunteer, I will always be there for them, he says.

It's good that with all the champions like Marie-Jo Perec, Nikola Karabatic and all the others, we are mobilizing for this association.

They will always need us and we will be there for them as they can be for those in need.

"