The triathlon can ride mechanicals. Since its entry into the Olympic program at the Sydney 2000 Games, it has often inherited the most telegenic and spectacular sites. The Sydney Opera House for its Olympic baptism, Hyde Park at the London 2012 Games…
The great series will continue next year at the Paris 2024 Games. A start given from the Pont Alexandre III, then a swimming section in the Seine, before cycling and then running along some of the most prestigious avenues of the capital.
At the helm of the discipline within the COJO, Dominique Frizza (photo below). FrancsJeux continues with this Frenchman with an atypical background his series of interviews with the sports managers of the organizing committee.
FrancsJeux : Your life before COJO Paris 2024?
Dominique Frizza : My professional career has been very diverse. I was a parliamentary assistant, I worked in catering, real estate... But before joining the COJO, I was general director of the Centre-Val de Loire triathlon league. In triathlon, I climbed almost every level one by one, from volunteer in a club to member of the executive office of the French federation, including the presidency of a club and a league. I am also a technical official and trainer at World Triathlon, the international federation.
Your past experience of the Olympic Games?
I participated in three consecutive editions of the Summer Games, the last three. In London 2012 and Rio 2016, I was a technical official for the International Triathlon Federation. At the heart of the action, on the competition field. At Tokyo 2020, I participated in the observer program at the Paralympic Games. The experience was very enriching. I have great respect for the way the Japanese organized the event, despite the very complicated conditions. At the end of the Games, I had a discussion with my Japanese counterpart, the triathlon sports manager. I asked her what the key to success was. His response was immediate: the quality of the organizing team.
A memorable memory from the Games?
A rather incredible experience at the Rio 2016 Games. After being forced to leave my mosquito spray at security, before a briefing on the triathlon competition, I found myself in the hands of the tourist police for having wanted to recover myself in a space that was forbidden to me. My accreditation was confiscated, I was questioned for two hours... Finally, the Brazilians agreed to let me go. Otherwise, on a more sporting level, the excitement surrounding the London 2012 Games, particularly in triathlon. The team of international technical officials was very united. The event played in Hyde Park was extraordinary. At the finish of the men's race, we had to wait 40 minutes before we could organize the podium ceremony. Jonathan Brownlee, the bronze medalist, collapsed after the finish and struggled to recover.
The file at the top of the pile on your desk?
Without the slightest doubt, preparation for the triathlon and para triathlon test event. It is scheduled to take place from August 17 to 20, on the site of the Olympic and Paralympic events. A real dress rehearsal presented by Paris 2024. We grafted ourselves onto an event on the international World Triathlon calendar. Over the four days, we will offer two individual races, a para triathlon event and a mixed relay. We will have the three formats, on the exact route of the Games, at the same times, with the best triathletes in the world. Everything will be tested: the site, security, accreditations…
The triathlon and para triathlon site: its assets, the challenge in the run-up to the Games?
The start will be on the Pont Alexandre III, in the heart of Paris, for a swimming section in the Seine, before crossing some of the most beautiful neighborhoods of the capital for cycling and running. A grandiose, extraordinary site, but complicated in terms of organization. The bridge, in particular, because the space is quite small. The swimmability of the Seine constitutes an important issue, both political and media. For triathletes, the course promises to be without much difficulty, it is very flat. But it will not be easy, because it is very technical. Athletes believe it should favor the smartest among them. It presents two challenges, new to the Games: swimming against the current in the Seine, then climbing 35 to 37 steps to reach the first transition.
Paris 2024 will be a success for the triathlon...
The Games will be a success if the athletes are satisfied. They are the kings of the party, the main actors. Afterwards, success can also be measured by the way in which the public, Parisians in particular, will take ownership of the event. I would like, once the Games are over, to be happy to have hosted the Olympic and Paralympic triathlon. Finally, a French gold medal would be a plus. For the French federation, above all, which has been chasing an Olympic title for a long time. It would reward the in-depth work it does to train, support and accompany its athletes.
