72 days before the opening ceremony, preparations for the 2013 Francophonie Games are moving forward at full speed. Without making too much noise. But without experiencing any real upheavals either. A long pending, and oh so decisive, question has been resolved: that of the accommodation of the athletes invited to participate in the sporting and cultural event, scheduled for September 7 to 15, 2013.
For around 2 participants, the 000 Francophonie Games will have a retro, even nostalgic feel, since they will be accommodated in university residences. Old. Without luxury, therefore, but with the necessary comfort. A form of system D, imposed by the delicate question of housing on the Côte d'Azur, particularly at the end of summer. The organizing committee had the idea of transforming the U cities into an Olympic village.
Jean-Raymond Barbieux, director of the Crous de Nice-Toulon, explains: “Most students benefiting from university rooms move in around September 20, therefore after the end of the Games. Only 650 to 700 of them return to classes at the beginning of September. We therefore offer them temporary accommodation at the Jean-Médecin residence. »
The solution has the merit of ensuring the essential, village-style accommodation for athletes, in a tense economic context. But it does not satisfy everyone: around fifteen demonstrators, mostly French-speaking African students, met on Wednesday June 26 in front of the Crous premises. In hand, signs denouncing the “commodification of student housing. » Their representatives were received by Crous officials. Comment from the director of the establishment: “We have already offered them help with accommodation in the city. There will be no evictions. »
Another question, soon to be resolved: volunteers. A final information meeting must be organized on Thursday July 4, at the Garibaldi Associations house. Objective: recruit a final contingent of volunteers. The event will need around a thousand. The first 500 were received and chosen last May. There are still some places.
