1. Less than 800 days before the opening of the Paris 2024 Games, the French municipalities and territories candidate to be Games Preparation Centers (CPJ) are getting into battle order. With one objective: to attract one, or even several, teams or delegations before the Olympic and Paralympic meeting. The organizing committee has put together a catalog of 560 training sites. It is proposed to the national Olympic committees.
3. In a good place, due to its geographical location and the diversity of its offer, is the Normandy region. FrancsJeux questioned Aline Louisy Louis, its vice-president in charge of Youth and Sports (photo below).

FrancsJeux : What is, in detail, your CPJ offer?

Aline Louisy Louis : Since 2018, the Normandy Region has identified 80 high-level sports facilities, spread over 50 territories, capable of welcoming international delegations in the different Olympic and Paralympic disciplines. A online guide presents these different Normandy sports facilities, as well as their environment and related services (accommodation, catering, para-medical). The vast majority of them have been recognized as CPJ by the COJOP.

What are the advantages of these equipments and the cities concerned?

In the immediate vicinity of Paris, Normandy offers an exceptional environment combining sea and countryside, a temperate climate and sea air which facilitate acclimatization and thus put athletes in excellent conditions, conducive to performance, in all seasons. . A very touristy region, Normandy is a host land for major international events and has a complete ecosystem: excellent hotel capacity with a very diverse range of accommodation, catering establishments capable of adapting to the nutritional requirements of the very high level, and specialized medical and paramedical structures. The Normandy Region owns the Normandy Sports Center (CSN) in Houlgate (photo above), labeled Grand INSEP, which is currently the subject of an ambitious renovation program, to the tune of 50 million euros. Located less than a kilometer from the sea and two hours from Paris, it is nestled in the heart of an exceptional 12-hectare park. For many years, it has notably hosted the French judo team and Teddy Riner. This preparation place offers a unity of place and allows the reception of several sports delegations, thanks to the variety of its equipment, all connected and equipped with video capture: 3 multi-purpose gymnasiums, 1 dojo with 6 combat areas, 1 training platform athletics, 2 archery ranges including 1 indoor, 2 dance/fitness rooms, 3 rugby/football pitches including 1 synthetic, 1 covered beach volleyball hall. Added to this are various accommodation units from 2 to 4 stars (203 beds and 103 rooms), a tailor-made catering service, three weight training and PPG rooms, 17 meeting rooms including one with 120 seats and an auditorium. with 200 places, and finally a 700 m² medical-sports center including a rehabilitation area.

How do you plan to support the reception of foreign delegations before the Paris 2024 Games?

The Normandy territory, communities and sports movement, has initiated a collective approach since 2017 promoting increased awareness and listening regarding the reception of delegations. Everyone is well aware of their role to play. The municipalities, EPCI and departments are contributing to the animation and involvement of the population around the Paris 2024 Games with the objective of bringing more sport into the lives of residents. Welcoming delegations corresponds to the projects of the territories. Each of them has targeted the countries and disciplines with which they wish to cooperate. The Region intends to play the role of facilitator and coordinator in welcoming delegations. The strength of our territory is to play collectively. Concretely, the Region and the communities that own the equipment discuss with the delegations the services and cooperation to be put in place, including the needs and the involvement of the delegation in the territory.

What impact and legacy could welcoming foreign delegations have, beyond the Games, for Normandy?

Since 2017, Normandy has seized the opportunity of the Paris 2024 Games. Initially, to unite the territories, bring out or strengthen cooperation between actors in Normandy sport, strengthen the network of sports facilities in Normandy . Secondly, Normandy wishes to develop and strengthen international cooperation over the long term, in particular through sporting partnerships and the promotion of the territory as a land of international sport. Ultimately, the objective is to make the Normandy Region a preferred destination for high-level sport and the hosting of major sporting events.

What types of delegations do you hope to receive?

Normandy has the capacity to host all sports. It has also been the host land on several occasions for major nations during international sporting events in the region, including the World Equestrian Games, the handball world championships, the Women's Football World Cup. , or even international athletics meetings. Some territories aim to welcome the best delegations in the world in their discipline. We have established a list of target countries to welcome as a priority, without excluding other opportunities that may emerge. These are countries with which Normandy has strong historical ties or already initiated cooperation. We position ourselves in a logic of international cooperation in the broad sense and in the long term. We are delighted with the collective work which is starting to bring first results with the realization of delegations welcoming ahead of various major international events (International Grand Prix, 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2024 Paris Games). Several delegations have already confirmed their arrival in Normandy in 2022: Morocco in para-athletics and gymnastics, Canada in swimming and gymnastics, Ecuador in table tennis, but also several French teams.