A debate that never ceases to make people talk.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organizing Committee has decided, after yet another upheaval, to set up the preliminary rounds of the basketball tournament at Porte de Versailles, at the Parc des Expositions.
Martin Fourcade defended this choice criticized by the athletes.
The five-time Olympic champion at the Winter Games explained why this decision had been taken: “We are on a site that meets all the criteria.
It's not an NBA room but we like to have this horizontality between the sports.
We are trying to propose a more virtuous Games model, in line with the expectations of the world, which means making certain choices, assumed and taken with the Athletes' Commission.
I don't understand, is it the organization of the Winter Olympics?
I have the impression that you just don't give a shit about Sports Co.
You give us excuses to justify your catastrophic organization.
Stop trying to put us to sleep.
https://t.co/BKHFVeTPtE
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) March 18, 2022
This decision is controversial because the height of the ceiling is only nine meters and the floor could be very wet, unlike the Arena de Bercy where the final phase will take place.
The counter-attack by Evan Fournier, basketball player for the New York Knicks, who had already taken a position this week, burst out this Friday afternoon on Twitter: "I have the impression that you don't care. foutre des sports Co. You give us excuses with two bullets to try to put us to sleep and justify your catastrophic organization”.
Seriously, I'm a handball player, I'm told that I'm going to experience the @Paris2024 Olympic Games in Lille.
I FALL A LEAD.
It's a shame.
Don't let yourself go.
How many gold medals did you bring back to France?
How disrespectful.
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) March 18, 2022
The French international then spoke of the handball tournament forced to relocate to Lille in the Pierre-Mauroy enclosure.
Admittedly located just an hour from Paris, and in a room that can hold up to 28,000 people as during the world handball championships in 2017, this decision was not very appreciated by handball players either.
Evan Fournier also defended them: “Seriously, I am a handball player, I am told that I am going to live the Paris 2024 Games, in Lille, I am freaking out”.
More than ever, the choice of locations for several events of these Olympic Games has not finished talking.