They are coaches of national teams, teachers of clubs, professionals or volunteers. They are the lungs of karate, the beating heart of practice. We give them a voice in a series of interviews. How do they live the decision not to allow Karate at the2024 Paris Olympics ? What consequences ? What to do ? They express their feelings, deliver their misunderstandings, analyze the future, each in his own way. Today, Azedin Rghioui, coach of the Australian Team.
By Ludovic Mauchien / Photo : DR
« My first reaction was misunderstanding, but above all a feeling of injustice in a whole system that turned its back on the true values of Olympism. Being at the Tokyo Games has been a recognition and new impetus for our sport. This announcement, even before the 2020 Olympics, is a blow on the part of the Olympic Committee, especially from people who have lived their career through the Olympics because their discipline is not media successfull, such as Canoe with Tony Estanguet.
Our international federation is very structured and well organized, even ahead of some Olympic sports. The various national federations have put in place colossal means to professionalize and bring a rigor that meets the requirements of the Games.
In Australia, we had long-term goals to prepare the new generations and to have athletes able to compete with the best and especially to have the chance to have athletes at the 2024 Paris Games. A whole process that is called into question because of this announcement.
In any case, we will fight to make our voice heard to change things. As a former athlete of the French national team, I have long been frustrated at not having been an Olympic sport. Today, national coach of Australia, I want to see future generations full of dreams and especially to see a karate with a medal around his neck in Paris, preferably an Australian or a Frenchman 😊 ».
