He probably did not imagine provoking such a controversy, nor such hostile reactions on the part of the recent Olympic medalists. The new heroes of French sport. Since Sunday morning, Jean-Michel Blanquer, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, has become despite himself the target of French basketball and handball players. The reason ? The fact that he estimated, rightly or wrongly, on his social networks, the day after the basketball, volleyball and handball finals that "the success of our French BHV teams (basketball, handball and volleyball) illustrates the quality of the teaching of these sports at school ”. The Minister concludes his message with "salute the work of PE teachers and the good collaboration with the @France Olympique federations. Long live team sport! Long live the EPS! ".
And Mercé L'EPS eh https://t.co/IBDzxURdZc
- Vincent Poirier (@ viinze_17P) August 9, 2021
A tweet that was not to the liking of the Blues of basketball, silver medalists after their short setback (87-82) against the United States on Saturday morning, and in particular from the pivot Vincent Poirier who replied to him on his networks: "I still rarely played basketball at school but quiet", "the school does not train high level athletes, clubs and federations yes.
I don't see how EPS has a relationship with medals at the Olympics.
"
Tweets liked more than 120,000 times since Sunday.
"It doesn't matter whether he's a minister, I can't accept that," the future Real Madrid player told us.
Me at school I did gym, rock climbing and 3 x 400 meters.
I had two hours of lessons per week… And then he claims that it is thanks to education that we win gold medals.
"
Glad to see that the EPS is seen on the RS.
Because in reality…
Like the rest of the teaching, moreover
The means are not there… https://t.co/CQZtnzxGmB
- Gerard Vincent (@Gerard_Vincent) August 8, 2021
A subject which did not leave indifferent either Vincent Gérard, goalkeeper of the Blues of the hand.
“Happy to see that the EPS is considered on the RS (social networks) because in reality… Like the rest of the teaching for that matter.
The means are not there… ”lambasted the gold medalist of the Games.
The swimmer
Marie Wattel, sixth in the 100m butterfly in Tokyo, in a humorous tweet, said she was reluctant to "resume EPS lessons for Paris 2024."
The controversy still swelled Monday.
Guest of the morning of Europe 1, Jean-Michel Blanquer, visibly insensitive to these reactions, kept the same line of conduct by declaring that "handball, volleyball and basketball are sports widely practiced in schools (...) This shows that the school system is very important. ”
On the contrary, Mr. Minister @jmblanquer Our sports culture at school is disastrous.
If my teammates and I have reached the elite of our sport it is thanks to sports associations, clubs, volunteers but in no way thanks to the school.
https://t.co/35V3QA0Hvf
- Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) August 9, 2021
Known for his outspokenness, basketball player Evan Fournier could not let this new media release pass and cracked a response via Twitter. “On the contrary, Minister. Our sports culture at school is disastrous. If my teammates and I have reached the elite of our sport it is thanks to sports associations, clubs, volunteers but in no way thanks to the school. "If the future winger of the New York Knicks" risks being summoned by the CPE ", jokes a subscriber on Twitter, he especially points the finger at the problem of sports culture and high level training in France. The controversy has probably only just begun.