The Games, 9,700 km away.
During the entire Olympic fortnight, the world will live on Tokyo time.
And despite the distance and the time difference, Île-de-France will also vibrate to the rhythm of the exploits of its athletes.
Through portraits, reports, interviews and pretty stories, we will tell you daily how the Games are experienced from the capital region.
Because even in Tokyo, you always need a little bit of Paris in your life.
His profile is displayed in large on the sheet metal pediment of the nautical club of AS Mantaise.
A twenty by four meter fresco graffiti by the “Art Osons” collective and representing Claire Bové in her boat, accompanied by dolphins and whales.
Here she is paddling alone, but it is in a duet with Laura Tarantola that the Yvelines sportswoman will participate this Wednesday July 28 (4:40 in France) in the semi-final of the lightweight rowing pair at the Tokyo Olympic Games. .
On the pediment of the AS Mantaise rowing club, a fresco was painted with the effigy of Claire Bové, the local champion.
"Claire is an example for our young people", greets Frédéric Andolfi, the president of the ASM.
LP / Zahra Shower
An event for the Bové family, which has always focused on rowing.
Good blood cannot lie is a formula that fits perfectly to the oars of the young selected Olympic 23 years.
Her mother, Christine (from Liege by her maiden name), also wore the colors of the ASM when she became vice-world champion in the same specialty in 1988. Her father, Vincent, himself, participated in the French Championships and has been serving as a trainer for the Mantes-la-Jolie club ever since.
Her brother, Ivan, 25, trains with her at the federal pole in Lyon.
"Claire is better than me", assures her mother
“Yes, she has that in her genes, predispositions, admits her father.
But she worked to get there.
For a long time, among young people, it was on the banks that she attended the finals… ”
“Claire is better than me,” says her mother.
She has an iron will and the ability to go beyond the limit, to push back suffering, to go beyond the sound barrier.
Rowing is 365 days a year, four hours a day, it freezes wherever it rains… ”When Christine pocketed the money at the 1988 Worlds, Claire was not yet born.
The champion has never watched the videotape of the final in Milan (Italy) - "Because we no longer have a VCR", smiles the mother - but knows what she owes to her parents.
A childhood photo of Clairé Bové, little next to her brother Ivan.
His father, Vincent took part in the French championships and has since been officiating as a trainer for the Mantes-la-Jolie club.
DR
Although, initially, Claire did not want to hear about rowing.
“I did triathlon in college (
Editor's note: Mercier Saint-Paul college in Meulan-en-Yvelines with which she became French school champion
) and my best friend, Carla, rowing, reveals the physiotherapist student .
She suggested that I try her sport and I accepted on condition that she discovered triathlon with me… Finally, I got into the game. "
"We lost our two children at the age of 15 when they left the poles and we took advantage of the last confinements to find each other," reveals Christine.
In the family pavilion in Vexin, the Bovés prepared for the Games in their own way.
"The ergometer (indoor rowing) has warmed up and the home trainer has given up the ghost", laugh the parents.
"It gives a more positive image of the city"
At the edge of the Mantes-la-Jolie rowing basin, very close to Val-Fourré, the regulars do not hide their joy at the mention of the local champion.
"His career gives us hope," blow Maïssane, Amira and Hasna, aged 12.
Even if we come from a small town, it proves that we too can succeed ... "
Opinion shared in the skatepark opposite.
“The Games are incredible!
enthuses Chaïma, 9 years old.
I want to be like her!
"" It is a source of pride, abounds Abdoulaye, accompanied by his son Izidine, 10 years old.
There is a lot of potential here, it gives a more positive image of the city.
"
“Claire is an example for our young people, welcomes Frédéric Andolfi, president of ASM, who teamed up with Vincent Bové at the French Championships. She combines all the qualities of an athlete: rigor, humility, passion, discipline. "
