
A page is turning. Tony Estanguet has handed in his apron as head of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee with the move to the year 2025. "I thought I had experienced everything as an athlete and finally I lived the most beautiful adventure of my life, he confided to Europe 1 before the holidays. I have learned so much, I am not the same man I was before." But how to bounce back and keep the flame alive after having accomplished such a mission? The triple Olympic canoe champion should return to the IOC, an institution he now knows like the back of his hand.
France to the power of 5
His name has been mentioned several times as Minister of Sports within the French government. Buoyed by the success of the Games, Estanguet enjoys a popularity rating that would put any politician in France to shame. The President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron has promised him "a very great future"The former canoeist spoke with the tenant of the Elysée and with his Prime Minister at the time, Michel Barnier, but ultimately declined. "It's not where I want to get involved. They say you should never say never, but right now it's not an area of interest for me.", he justified on the microphone of France Bleu. "There are other ways to serve your country, and today I am more effective and useful in other areas than politics., he added on the France 2 set. The business world maybe, sports, we'll see. I worked with politicians for ten years, but today, I have the impression that my action is elsewhere."
At the IOC, then. The Béarnais will indeed be proposed as an independent individual member of the institution during the famous 144th session in March (from 18 to 21), the one that will also see the election of Thomas Bach's successor. The body's executive board approved his candidacy during a postal vote. A great show of confidence because Estanguet is the only one to be proposed as a new member, while there are usually five or six in the wagon. "Mr. Paris 2024" has, however, been unanimous since his eight years on the athletes' commission.
“Today, I feel equipped to take on many challenges, he explained a few months ago. I am exchanging with LA (2028), Milan (2026), Brisbane (2032). I told each of them that I would always be available to share this experience because the Games have given me so much that I want to offer my contribution in the most modest and effective way possible." With his election, France would have five members on the IOC, with Estanguet joining Guy Drut, Jean-Christophe Rolland, David Lappartient and Martin Fourcade. Quite a feat since no other country will be able to boast such representation – the United Kingdom and the United States currently have four members each. The promise of a strengthening of the French voice within the body. Which would be even more so if David Lappartient were to be appointed president.