Latest news with #TeddyRiner
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
As France's sports budget faces cuts, are Olympic promises being broken?
One year on from the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, French politicians and sports organisations are hitting out at the government's proposed cuts to the budget for sport – after pledges to improve access to grassroots sport were made following the country's record medal haul last summer. French athletes won 16 golds in a tally of 64 medals during the 2024 Olympics, while at the Paralympics they took 85 – their best showing at the event since 1984. Politicians from across the spectrum lined up to salute the achievements of the French stars of the Games, including cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, swimmer Léon Marchand, judoka Teddy Riner and table tennis players Alexis and Félix Lebrun at the Olympics and Paralympic swimmers Ugo Didier and Alex Portal. Local sports clubs braced themselves for a flurry of applications, inspired by French success. Philippe Bana, president of the French Handball Federation, told RFI: "The Olympic effect was spectacular. It wasn't a boom, it was an explosion. All our clubs were full. We were unable to take on any more members. We had to divide the pitches in half to accommodate more teams." How the Paris Olympic Games transformed the Porte de la Chapelle The French Olympic and Paralympic committees – the CNOSF and CPSF – vowed to work towards even greater sporting glory. "The Games have created a strong momentum that the CNOSF will continue to build on with the aim of changing mindsets and behaviours for a long-term impact." said Gilles Erb, head of the legacy commission at France's National Sports Agency, who is high in the ranks of the CNOSF. "Having worked to lay the foundations for the legacy of the Games, it is now up to the CNOSF, alongside other French sports institutions, to strengthen this legacy and make it a success that benefits everyone," said Erb. "The Games have enabled the creation of programmes that bring people together, have an impact and encourage commitment and which have mobilised a large part of the French population – particularly the youngest audiences." Cutbacks in public spending However, in January 2025, François Bayrou's administration announced that the sport budget would be slashed from €1.7 billion to €1.4bn, as part of general cutbacks in public spending. A petition signed by 400 leading athletes, including Riner, hit out at the plans. "This is not just a matter of economics, it is sabotaging our ability to live together," the signatories wrote. "With the [Olympic and Paralympic] Games, we have proven that sport is a powerful lever for education, health, social cohesion and physical and mental wellbeing. "There is a desire to betray the ambition and vision of the Paris 2024 Games, which have succeeded in uniting and bringing together all French people, across all regions of the Republic." In a statement to sports newspaper L'Equipe Macron said that he agreed with the athletes, adding: "Since 2017, I have ensured that the sports budget has increased every year. We must keep our commitments and provide the necessary resources for our athletes so that the legacy of the Games benefits everyone." Trump to lead LA Olympics task force overseeing security and visas In June, the government came under further attack when it announced changes to the Pass Sport scheme, established in 2021 to help children from low-income families join sports clubs. Nearly 1.7 million youngsters between six and 17 were benefitting from the €50 payment when Sports Minister Marie Barsacq outlined the amendments. But many will now find themselves ineligible. Under the new system, which is set to start in September, the scheme will offer €70 to young people aged 14 to 17 whose families already receive the means tested ARS back-to-school allowance. Children and teenagers between six and 19 with disabilities, whose guardians get the AEEH disabled child education allowance will also be able eligible for the €70, as will young people aged 16 to 30 who receive the AAH disabled adult allowance. Students under the age of 28 who receive CROUS scholarships and bursaries will also be allowed to claim the cash. "At the age of 14, nearly one in five secondary school students does not participate in regular sports activities, mainly due to cost constraints," said Barsacq. "Pass Sport is an essential tool for overcoming this obstacle. I encourage young people and parents to take advantage of it to discover or rediscover a sport of their choice." Backlash However, bosses at the French Football Federation have questioned the move, intended to save around €40 million. Last year, 375,000 of its nearly 1 million members under the age of 14 joined clubs with the help of the money from the Pass Sport. "We hope that solutions can be found to maintain this valuable aid for many families," said the FFF. "There is an educational and social function to sport, which must be able to welcome as many children as possible, without discrimination, particularly financial discrimination." In an open letter to Macron and Bayrou, the 73 members of the Association of Mayors of Towns and Suburbs of France said: "The Pass Sport has put an end to financial discrimination in access to sport. It has led to a boom in sports enrolments among young girls. In large families, it has meant that we no longer have to prioritise sport for one child over another. "By abolishing it for 6-13 year-olds, we are creating a sporting divide." Amélie Oudéa-Castéra and Marie-Amélie Le Fur, who respectively head the CNOSF and the CPSF, have also hit out at the changes to the scheme. "It is a harmful decision that will deprive thousands of children of access to sports, which are known to improve physical and mental wellbeing, as well as cognitive and academic performance," Oudéa-Castéra, who was Sports Minister during the Olympics before taking over at the CNOSF from David Lappartient in June, wrote in a message on LinkedIn. She added that sport had already made too many sacrifices. Paris Olympics and Paralympics cost taxpayer nearly €6bn "We must reverse this decision, which will deprive many children of access to sport and put many sports clubs in difficulty," said François Piquemal, MP for Toulouse from the far-left France Unbowed party. 'It's an incomprehensible move," he added, "but one that's common in the world in which the president lives. As soon as there is a rare good idea that starts to get traction, back-pedalling is the order of the day when commitments cannot be honoured. However, these decisions have major consequences." Ronald Duart, president of a BMX club in Yvelines, west of Paris, said: "Before, three-quarters of our members in that age group of six to 13 used the Pass Sport. "This is the first year that people have started asking us if they can pay in three or four instalments," Duart added. "It feels that something like this is really going in the opposite direction of supporting sports participation."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
As France's sports budget faces cuts, are Olympic promises being broken?
One year on from the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, French politicians and sports organisations are hitting out at the government's proposed cuts to the budget for sport – after pledges to improve access to grassroots sport were made following the country's record medal haul last summer. French athletes won 16 golds in a tally of 64 medals during the 2024 Olympics, while at the Paralympics they took 85 – their best showing at the event since 1984. Politicians from across the spectrum lined up to salute the achievements of the French stars of the Games, including cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, swimmer Léon Marchand, judoka Teddy Riner and table tennis players Alexis and Félix Lebrun at the Olympics and Paralympic swimmers Ugo Didier and Alex Portal. Local sports clubs braced themselves for a flurry of applications, inspired by French success. Philippe Bana, president of the French Handball Federation, told RFI: "The Olympic effect was spectacular. It wasn't a boom, it was an explosion. All our clubs were full. We were unable to take on any more members. We had to divide the pitches in half to accommodate more teams." How the Paris Olympic Games transformed the Porte de la Chapelle The French Olympic and Paralympic committees – the CNOSF and CPSF – vowed to work towards even greater sporting glory. "The Games have created a strong momentum that the CNOSF will continue to build on with the aim of changing mindsets and behaviours for a long-term impact." said Gilles Erb, head of the legacy commission at France's National Sports Agency, who is high in the ranks of the CNOSF. "Having worked to lay the foundations for the legacy of the Games, it is now up to the CNOSF, alongside other French sports institutions, to strengthen this legacy and make it a success that benefits everyone," said Erb. "The Games have enabled the creation of programmes that bring people together, have an impact and encourage commitment and which have mobilised a large part of the French population – particularly the youngest audiences." Cutbacks in public spending However, in January 2025, François Bayrou's administration announced that the sport budget would be slashed from €1.7 billion to €1.4bn, as part of general cutbacks in public spending. A petition signed by 400 leading athletes, including Riner, hit out at the plans. "This is not just a matter of economics, it is sabotaging our ability to live together," the signatories wrote. "With the [Olympic and Paralympic] Games, we have proven that sport is a powerful lever for education, health, social cohesion and physical and mental wellbeing. "There is a desire to betray the ambition and vision of the Paris 2024 Games, which have succeeded in uniting and bringing together all French people, across all regions of the Republic." In a statement to sports newspaper L'Equipe Macron said that he agreed with the athletes, adding: "Since 2017, I have ensured that the sports budget has increased every year. We must keep our commitments and provide the necessary resources for our athletes so that the legacy of the Games benefits everyone." Trump to lead LA Olympics task force overseeing security and visas In June, the government came under further attack when it announced changes to the Pass Sport scheme, established in 2021 to help children from low-income families join sports clubs. Nearly 1.7 million youngsters between six and 17 were benefitting from the €50 payment when Sports Minister Marie Barsacq outlined the amendments. But many will now find themselves ineligible. Under the new system, which is set to start in September, the scheme will offer €70 to young people aged 14 to 17 whose families already receive the means tested ARS back-to-school allowance. Children and teenagers between six and 19 with disabilities, whose guardians get the AEEH disabled child education allowance will also be able eligible for the €70, as will young people aged 16 to 30 who receive the AAH disabled adult allowance. Students under the age of 28 who receive CROUS scholarships and bursaries will also be allowed to claim the cash. "At the age of 14, nearly one in five secondary school students does not participate in regular sports activities, mainly due to cost constraints," said Barsacq. "Pass Sport is an essential tool for overcoming this obstacle. I encourage young people and parents to take advantage of it to discover or rediscover a sport of their choice." Backlash However, bosses at the French Football Federation have questioned the move, intended to save around €40 million. Last year, 375,000 of its nearly 1 million members under the age of 14 joined clubs with the help of the money from the Pass Sport. "We hope that solutions can be found to maintain this valuable aid for many families," said the FFF. "There is an educational and social function to sport, which must be able to welcome as many children as possible, without discrimination, particularly financial discrimination." In an open letter to Macron and Bayrou, the 73 members of the Association of Mayors of Towns and Suburbs of France said: "The Pass Sport has put an end to financial discrimination in access to sport. It has led to a boom in sports enrolments among young girls. In large families, it has meant that we no longer have to prioritise sport for one child over another. "By abolishing it for 6-13 year-olds, we are creating a sporting divide." Amélie Oudéa-Castéra and Marie-Amélie Le Fur, who respectively head the CNOSF and the CPSF, have also hit out at the changes to the scheme. "It is a harmful decision that will deprive thousands of children of access to sports, which are known to improve physical and mental wellbeing, as well as cognitive and academic performance," Oudéa-Castéra, who was Sports Minister during the Olympics before taking over at the CNOSF from David Lappartient in June, wrote in a message on LinkedIn. She added that sport had already made too many sacrifices. Paris Olympics and Paralympics cost taxpayer nearly €6bn "We must reverse this decision, which will deprive many children of access to sport and put many sports clubs in difficulty," said François Piquemal, MP for Toulouse from the far-left France Unbowed party. 'It's an incomprehensible move," he added, "but one that's common in the world in which the president lives. As soon as there is a rare good idea that starts to get traction, back-pedalling is the order of the day when commitments cannot be honoured. However, these decisions have major consequences." Ronald Duart, president of a BMX club in Yvelines, west of Paris, said: "Before, three-quarters of our members in that age group of six to 13 used the Pass Sport. "This is the first year that people have started asking us if they can pay in three or four instalments," Duart added. "It feels that something like this is really going in the opposite direction of supporting sports participation."
Fashion Network
01-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Le Coq Sportif: The bid backed by Xavier Niel and Teddy Riner 'hampered', according to their lawyers
What's going on with Le Coq Sportif? The singing gallinaceous sports brand, official supplier to the French Olympic and Paralympic Team for Paris 2024, placed in receivership last November, is the subject of two takeover bids. However, after a number of twists and turns in the timetable, a decision was expected on July 4, but on Monday one of the consortiums carrying one of the takeover bids denounced the way it had been treated. According to its lawyers, the bid from the team comprising the American group Iconix and Xavier Niel, and backed by French judo champion Teddy Riner, was "deliberately hindered" and "weakened." With a decision expected from the Paris Business Court only a few days away, its lawyers are calling for "a reopening of the proceedings." The court is due to take a decision in a particularly electric climate surrounding a company that remains a modest player in world sport. The brand is still 75% owned by the Swiss company Airesis, which acquired it 20 years ago and has yet to unveil its annual results for 2024. At the end of the first half of 2024, Le Coq recorded sales of 82 million euros, up 30%, for a net loss of 18 million euros. In 2023, total sales were 121 million euros, with a loss of 28 million euros. Yet the brand, which employs some 300 people and has a workshop in Romilly sur Seine near Troyes, is far more powerful than its sales would suggest, particularly in France. As a result, the French Ministry of the Economy has been keeping a close eye on the case, attracting a number of key players to the takeover. Since mid-May, both parties have been making a series of discreet announcements in an attempt to tip the balance in their favor. The most likely bid is that of Franco-Swiss businessman Dan Mamane. Born in Toulon, the entrepreneur, as described in his profile in the Swiss media outlet Le Temps, moved to Switzerland at the age of 18 and graduated from HEC Lausanne. The Vaud-born entrepreneur built up his fortune in the electronics trade with the creation of his Powerdata group. He moved into retail in 2021, with the takeover and turnaround of Conforama Suisse, and earlier this year acquired the Ogier ski brand. At his side is former Fusalp CEO Alexandre Fauvet. Les Echos reports that Cédric Meston, head of Tupperware France, may also join the project. Although the details are not known, the fact that he would maintain jobs at the group's head office in Troyes would be a factor, as would the issue of receivables, which would limit the impact on local authority finances. The second offer came from a consortium comprising French billionaire Xavier Niel, judoka Teddy Riner, investment company Neopar, American group Iconix, as well as the current boss of Airesis, parent company of Le Coq Sportif, Marc-Henri Beausire, and the Camuset family, founders of the brand. In a five-page letter dated June 26 and addressed to the president of the court and the Paris public prosecutor - which AFP has obtained - the business law firm August Debouzy "requests the reopening of the debates within the framework of the examination of the draft recovery plans, in that the process followed to date has, in many respects, been vitiated by breaches of the fundamental principles governing collective proceedings." "It appears that the plan presented by the consortium made up of Iconix, Neopar, Airesis and their partners, despite having been duly submitted within the prescribed deadlines, has been deliberately hindered, weakened and then effectively ousted from the examination process," asserts the firm, which denounces a "methodical obstruction by the court-appointed administrators." According to August Debouzy, "the plan presented by the consortium was not rejected because of its economic or legal characteristics, but because the court-appointed administrators decided, from the very first weeks of the procedure, to make the plan supported by Mr. Mamane their own plan." According to the takeover plan made public in May, the consortium is 51% owned by Neopar, an investment company specializing in "company turnarounds" and owned by the Poitrinal family, 26.5% by investors, and 22.5% by the American group Iconix. The consortium had told AFP that it planned to contribute a total of 60 million euros, which would be "injected immediately" into the company. With AFP
Fashion Network
30-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Le Coq Sportif: The bid backed by Xavier Niel and Teddy Riner 'hampered', according to their lawyers
What's going on with Le Coq Sportif? The singing gallinaceous sports brand, official supplier to the French Olympic and Paralympic Team for Paris 2024, placed in receivership last November, is the subject of two takeover bids. However, after a number of twists and turns in the timetable, a decision was expected on July 4, but on Monday one of the consortiums carrying one of the takeover bids denounced the way it had been treated. According to its lawyers, the bid from the team comprising the American group Iconix and Xavier Niel, and backed by French judo champion Teddy Riner, was "deliberately hindered" and "weakened." With a decision expected from the Paris Business Court only a few days away, its lawyers are calling for "a reopening of the proceedings." The court is due to take a decision in a particularly electric climate surrounding a company that remains a modest player in world sport. The brand is still 75% owned by the Swiss company Airesis, which acquired it 20 years ago and has yet to unveil its annual results for 2024. At the end of the first half of 2024, Le Coq recorded sales of 82 million euros, up 30%, for a net loss of 18 million euros. In 2023, total sales were 121 million euros, with a loss of 28 million euros. Yet the brand, which employs some 300 people and has a workshop in Romilly sur Seine near Troyes, is far more powerful than its sales would suggest, particularly in France. As a result, the French Ministry of the Economy has been keeping a close eye on the case, attracting a number of key players to the takeover. Since mid-May, both parties have been making a series of discreet announcements in an attempt to tip the balance in their favor. The most likely bid is that of Franco-Swiss businessman Dan Mamane. Born in Toulon, the entrepreneur, as described in his profile in the Swiss media outlet Le Temps, moved to Switzerland at the age of 18 and graduated from HEC Lausanne. The Vaud-born entrepreneur built up his fortune in the electronics trade with the creation of his Powerdata group. He moved into retail in 2021, with the takeover and turnaround of Conforama Suisse, and earlier this year acquired the Ogier ski brand. At his side is former Fusalp CEO Alexandre Fauvet. Les Echos reports that Cédric Meston, head of Tupperware France, may also join the project. Although the details are not known, the fact that he would maintain jobs at the group's head office in Troyes would be a factor, as would the issue of receivables, which would limit the impact on local authority finances. The second offer came from a consortium comprising French billionaire Xavier Niel, judoka Teddy Riner, investment company Neopar, American group Iconix, as well as the current boss of Airesis, parent company of Le Coq Sportif, Marc-Henri Beausire, and the Camuset family, founders of the brand. In a five-page letter dated June 26 and addressed to the president of the court and the Paris public prosecutor - which AFP has obtained - the business law firm August Debouzy "requests the reopening of the debates within the framework of the examination of the draft recovery plans, in that the process followed to date has, in many respects, been vitiated by breaches of the fundamental principles governing collective proceedings." "It appears that the plan presented by the consortium made up of Iconix, Neopar, Airesis and their partners, despite having been duly submitted within the prescribed deadlines, has been deliberately hindered, weakened and then effectively ousted from the examination process," asserts the firm, which denounces a "methodical obstruction by the court-appointed administrators." According to August Debouzy, "the plan presented by the consortium was not rejected because of its economic or legal characteristics, but because the court-appointed administrators decided, from the very first weeks of the procedure, to make the plan supported by Mr. Mamane their own plan." According to the takeover plan made public in May, the consortium is 51% owned by Neopar, an investment company specializing in "company turnarounds" and owned by the Poitrinal family, 26.5% by investors, and 22.5% by the American group Iconix. The consortium had told AFP that it planned to contribute a total of 60 million euros, which would be "injected immediately" into the company. With AFP
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Teddy Riner to miss World Judo Championships as he preps for one more Olympics
France's Teddy Riner, the most successful judoka in Olympic history, will miss next month's World Championships as he comes back from elbow surgery and prioritizes long-term preparation for a record sixth Olympic bid. "Even though the elbow surgery I underwent a few months ago is behind me, I'm not yet feeling 100%," was posted on Riner's social media. "And to step onto a tatami at the highest level, I need to be ready, both physically and mentally. It's never easy to withdraw from a major competition, but this is a thoughtful decision made with my team. We're working hard every day to come back stronger." Advertisement Riner, 36, owns the most Olympic gold medals (five) and medals (seven) in judo history, including individual heavyweight titles in 2012, 2016 and 2024. He also shared the honor of lighting the Paris Olympic cauldron with fellow Guadeloupe native Marie-José Pérec, a track star from the 1990s. Since winning individual and team gold in Paris, Riner has repeatedly said that he plans to compete through the 2028 LA Olympics. "Now that I have become the record holder in my sport, I experience things differently," he said in April, according to a translation of a L'Equipe report. "Now, four years (before the 2028 Olympics), I will try to go moonwalking in Los Angeles. No pressure, only pleasure. And if I manage to go and collect a fourth (individual) gold medal, I will do it with joy. That is the objective. But it is certain that there will not be the pressure that I was subjected to in Tokyo, in Paris. Now, it is above all pleasure. And to live the last four years of my sport at the top. And to finish in 2029 to say goodbye." Advertisement He is already the oldest Olympic judo gold medalist, and in LA can become the oldest judoka to win an Olympic medal of any color, according to the OlyMADMen. Riner, who made his Olympic debut in 2008, can break the record he currently shares of five Olympic appearances in judo. Riner also owns the record of most world championship titles in judo — 12 from 2009 through 2023, including two in separate open competitions without weight categories and one in a team event. He also skipped World Championships in both the Tokyo and Paris Olympic cycles. Olympics LA 2028 LA 2028 Olympics add new events in swimming, gymnastics, track; more female spots for first time There will be more women's quota places than men's quota places at the Olympics for the first time.
