An opening with great fanfare!
Since June 9, the corridors of the interior Olympic basin of the Odyssey in Chartres have been swarming with high-level swimmers.
It is here that the 2021 French swimming championships take place, from this Tuesday, June 15 until the 20th. There is something at stake: the stage in Chartres is the last chance to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. from July 23 to August 8.
For the Odyssey, it is a strong recovery: "98% of the staff were technically unemployed during the crisis, we had to take the time to put everything back in order," concedes Loïc Guerin, operator of the complex.
This is not the first time that the Odyssey has hosted a competition.
In 2019 the 13th French Open Swimming took place in Chartres.
But this time, the organization imposes a maximum of 1,100 people at the edge of the pool.
With the presence of nearly 600 swimmers and their teams, there will be only 300 to 400 spectators.
Only licensees from the French Swimming Federation and residents of Chartres Métropole with a health pass will be able to access it.
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As soon as the competition ends, all the pools will open to the public on June 21.
“With this weather, I couldn't wait to take my son to the pool!
», Impatient Chloe who lives in the metropolis.
Caution
Despite the excitement, the teams at the resort warn.
"We will be very careful because people have not swam for a long time and often overestimate themselves at the time of the recovery," warns Loïc Guérin.
Used to entertainment and nightlife, the complex intends to resume slowly, no new event is planned before July.
In the meantime, the wellness areas, spa, gym and ice rink of the complex have been accessible at 50% of their capacity since June 9.