Agen, the prefecture of Lot-et-Garonne, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, has long given its passion for sport the oval shape of a rugby ball. The local club, SU Agen, displays eight French championship titles in its trophy room, between the pre-war and the end of the 80s.
But the prospect of the Paris 2024 Games has given the city and its municipal team a desire for Olympics. Four of its sports facilities have been classified as CPJ (Games Preparation Center) by the COJO. With just over 500 days to go before the event, she dreams of welcoming at least one foreign team or delegation to prepare for the Olympic or Paralympic competitions in Agen.
Explanations from the city’s Sports Deputy, Alain Klajman.
FrancsJeux : What is your CPJ offer in detail?
Alain Klajman : It is very varied and multi-sport, since it is available on four sites and eleven disciplines. In Agen itself, the Armandie stadium has been classified as CPJ for rugby sevens. Also in the city center, the Municipal Stadium offers a field that can be used for basketball, a room for wheelchair fencing and a dojo. The Aquasud swimming pool and its modular main pool can constitute high-level equipment for Paralympic swimming. Finally, the Jacques Clouché multi-sports center (COJC), located in the adjoining town of Boé, has a multi-sport area, a gym and, outside, an archery range.
What are the advantages of these facilities and the city of Agen?
First of all, the modernity of the sports facilities. The Armandie stadium was renovated last year, with new stands, a treatment room, a weight room equipped for re-athletics, a hammam, hot and cold baths, a sauna... Everything is ultra- modern and high standard. In Boé, the central gymnastics platform of the COJC has also been refurbished. At the Stadium, we are going to redo the basketball court and the lighting in the room, for delivery in May or June. As for the swimming pool, it has a 50 m pool which can be reduced by half, over its entire width or only in part, thanks to a removable wall. But our strengths are not only sporting. Agen is a very nice and friendly medium-sized town, where many things can be done on foot, without wasting time on transport. The city is also very sporting, by tradition – the rugby club has been French champion eight times – and by the practice of its inhabitants. Today we have more than 7.000 members in sports clubs for 33.000 inhabitants. Finally, its geographical location is also an asset, 3 hours from Paris by direct TGV, halfway between Bordeaux and Toulouse, therefore less than an hour by car from the airports of these two cities.
How do you plan to support the reception of foreign delegations before the Paris 2024 Games?
We will prepare a reception worthy of the name for them, as we know how to do in Agen. We really want to integrate these athletes, wherever they come from in the world, as if they were residents of the city, by involving the population in the adventure as much as possible. Their comfort and calm will be respected, they will even be a priority, but we would like young people from sports clubs and recreational centers to be able, on occasion, to attend training and interact with the athletes. We will do everything to make them feel at home and take with them a little of the soul of the French when they return to Paris for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
What impact/legacy could welcoming foreign delegations have, beyond the Games, for the city of Agen?
The arrival of one or more foreign delegations would leave a historical mark, that is certain. But we would also like it to encourage sporting vocations within our community, to make as many people as possible want to take up sport. To do this, we will do everything we can to integrate these athletes into the life of our city.
What types of delegations do you hope to receive?
With our rugby history, a rugby sevens team would be ideal. But we would be delighted to welcome swimmers, fencers, basketball players... Participating in one way or another in the adventure of the Paris 7 Olympic and Paralympic Games would be fantastic. All athletes on the planet will be welcome in Agen.
