Jean-Michel Saive is a case. A rarity. The Belgian table tennis player, world vice-champion in 1993, is taking part in the European Games in Baku in a double capacity at the age of 45. He is involved in the individual table tennis tournament, where he won his first match on Tuesday evening, dominating (4-1) the Russian Kirill Skachkov, 18 years his junior. He also wears the hat of member of the executive council of the Association of European Olympic Committees (EOC), under the Athletes' Commission, of which he is president. Athlete and leader. Judge and party, therefore. A position that gives him a unique perspective on the event. He explained it to FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux: In Baku, are you more of an athlete or more of a manager?
Jean-Michel Saive: Both. And it's not always easy. I arrived in Baku one morning at 5:45 a.m., an hour later I was picked up to attend the last meeting of heads of mission. The first few days, I was very busy with my role as a member of the executive council of the EOC. Receptions, dinners… In costume, therefore. In particular, I attended the reception offered by the Head of State and the First Lady. Then I switched to my athlete status to train and prepare for my match.
Are you staying in the village?
No, I'm at the hotel. This saves me some travel. But I often go to the village, where I had the Athletes' Commission stand moved. It was poorly placed, I had it installed in the restaurant room. I go there sometimes to talk to other athletes about the role of the commission.
This double hat gives you a unique perspective on the event…
It's true. And I have to say that the experience was incredible. I was able to see these Games evolve, month after month, particularly under the coordination commission. Now I'm in it, as a competitor. This situation is quite comical.
What does the result inspire you?
I am impressed. I came to Baku last September, I was shown the table tennis hall. She wasn't ready. I came a second time in February. The room was still not ready. I asked where the training would take place, and I was told that nothing was planned, that they would perhaps take place in a tent, outside the room. For the table tennis test event, the competition was organized at the gymnastics site. I was worried, even worried. But when I arrived in Baku last week, I only said: “Wow”. Amazing.
Did you expect such a dimension?
No. For athletes, it is difficult to see a difference with the Olympic Games. The size is comparable. But this is not surprising: the people who organized these European Games have, for the most part, extensive Olympic experience.
A word about your sporting ambitions…
To be here, in the tournament, is already a miracle. I won my first match. The adventure goes on. We will see what happens next day by day. At my age, you never really know when you get up in the morning if everything will go as well all day.
