Here is what hurries the pace. As every week since January, Alexandra Feracci offers a round trip between her native Corsica and the continent. The stay in the capital is short - between 48 and 72 hours - but intense. On the program for those who dream of participating in the Olympic Games in Tokyo, from July 24 to August 9, two daily sessions, at the Creps in Châtenay-Malabry (Hauts-de-Seine) or in a small basement room in the 14th arrondissement from Paris, before returning to Ajaccio. For the first time in Japan, karate will be an Olympic discipline. For the only time also, the organizers of the Paris 2024 Games did not wish to integrate it into the program.
"A one-shot" that Alexandra does not want to miss.
“I tell myself that I will be the first Franco-Corsican to participate in the Games, I have this feeling of writing history a bit.
And above all, I could be the one and only French karateka to win an Olympic medal (
Editor's note: in kata
), it tickles me!
The 28-year-old young woman has therefore decided to put all the assets on her side, by coming every week to Paris, to the national coaches.
"But there was no question for me to settle on the continent, my parents who take care of the Ajaccio karate club, have been training me since I was 4 years old, it is thanks to them that I reached an international level, I did not see myself taking away an essential piece of the puzzle by coming to Paris.
"
Alexandra Feracci in training before the Tokyo Olympics.
DR / A.
Feracci
The organization set up at the start of September, but disrupted by the October wave of Covid, has a cost.
"Between the hotel, the trips and the food, it's 300 euros per trip, knowing that Air Corsica offers me the plane tickets", underlines the one which is employed by the Community of agglomeration of the Ajaccien Country, but 100% detached for Olympic preparation.
"The karate federation has been affected by the health crisis, it finances the courses, not the rest," said the sportswoman, who had to find solutions.
“I had created a kitty on PayPal but I didn't dare communicate about it, I felt like I was giving alms, and then I made up my mind.
"
Corsican solidarity
In Corsica, solidarity has been put in place.
“People have contacted me to get me plane tickets or pay for hotel rooms.
It touches me that they can help me prepare on the continent… ”Then, the health restrictions complicated the situation.
“The flights are gradually resuming, but I have done Ajaccio-Bastia and Bastia-Paris, often on the first flight in the morning.
Some hotels are closed, fortunately the one I found has reasonable rates for me… ”
So, when she is in Paris, Alexandra Feracci "makes a profit", draws numerous advice from the coaches, before finding the family cocoon in Corsica.
A few months ago, the attic was converted into a training room, “with a tatami mat and weight machines.
"
“This is where during the first confinement of March-April 2020, I stayed, my head in the handlebars, as if the deadlines were going to take place.
The backlash came in May, when we had to look reality in the face and admit that everything was over for 2020… ”Although the international federation froze the competition calendar until spring 2021, Alexandra relaunched in her career. Olympic quest.
To read also Destination Tokyo 2021: in taekwondo, we flee the Covid in Corrèze
But if she qualifies for the Games - she has to finish on the podium in the Olympic qualifying tournament, June 11-13 - she'll be going to Japan on her own.
“Mom prepared me psychologically for the fact that there would be no audience, she did well because at the time of the announcement, I had a pang in my heart.
It's a crazy event and we won't experience the atmosphere.
We karatekas are not like Teddy Riner, who has already experienced three Olympic Games, these will be our only games.
Games without family… ”
In her luggage, however, she will bring a small piece of Corsica.
“The flag, my bottle of island water, Saint-Georges, my chain with the Moor's head and a piece of coral.
With us, we say that it protects against the evil eye… ”