The Impact of the Olympic Effect on French Sports Clubs: A Struggle for Capacity
The approaching Paris 2024 Olympic Games has significantly increased interest and enrollment in local sports clubs in France, especially in archery and volleyball. Club leaders are concerned about their capacities to accommodate the surge in new members due to limited facilities. Prominent officials predict millions more registrations in sports, intensifying the existing challenges for clubs.
French sports clubs are facing significant challenges in managing the overwhelming interest generated by the impending Paris 2024 Olympic Games, a phenomenon often referred to as the “Olympics effect.” Within the archery section of the Metropolitan Transport Sports Union (USMT) in Paris, an influx of new members has been observed following the recent Olympic events. Jean-François Hoeni, president and coach of the USMT archery section for the past fifteen years, noted a dramatic rise in registration requests: “At the end of each Olympic Games, we have an influx (…) of people and requests [for registration].” This surge was particularly pronounced this fall, reaching unprecedented levels. Inspired by the Olympic events, newcomers like Léa Perrier have sought to join local clubs. Perrier’s long-standing admiration for archery was reignited after watching the competitions this summer, leading her to seek a club nearby. Hoeni emphasized that the visible success of archery, especially due to the event’s prominent location at Les Invalides, has fueled this desire, stating, “Our discipline had real visibility. It has made people want to do it themselves.” Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the former sports minister, projected an increase of approximately 2 to 2.5 million additional registered members, raising concerns about whether clubs can accommodate this surge. The USMT archery section reported an astounding 130 new members during the first week of post-vacation registrations, matching the total for the previous season. Hoeni lamented, “We’re stretched to the limit,” and cited space limitations as a critical issue as he consistently turned away two to three registration inquiries daily. This challenge is not isolated to archery. Jean-Guy Perreau, the president of the volleyball club in La Roche-sur-Yon, Vendée, recounted similar experiences following the Tokyo Games, where a surge in membership left his club nearly overcrowded. The recent Olympic triumphs for the men’s volleyball team have only exacerbated this issue, compelling Perreau to decline new members due to inadequate facilities. He remarked, “Today, we’re completely swamped,” reflecting the ongoing impact of the Olympics effect on local sports clubs throughout France.
The “Olympics effect” refers to the remarkable increase in public interest and participation in sports that often follows major Olympic events. This phenomenon is particularly evident in host countries and can lead to substantial membership growth within local sports clubs. The anticipated influx of new members in various sports as a result of the upcoming Paris 2024 Games poses significant operational challenges for these clubs, spurring concerns about resource limitations and capacity.
In summary, French sports clubs are currently grappling with an unprecedented rise in interest due to the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This surge, evidenced in clubs like USMT and local volleyball organizations, presents pressing capacity challenges, raising questions about the ability to adequately accommodate new memberships without compromising the quality of training and resources available.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
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