A problem of the rich. This is what French judo is facing in view of the Paris Olympic Games in 2024. Thus, by announcing two days ago a first part of the selection for the next Games, it was obvious that the disappointed would have difficulty keeping their feelings to themselves, and especially to themselves.
Thus, on the airwaves of RMC, Julia Tolofua did not hide her disappointment while in her category, the 78kg, Romane Dicko was preferred. “I feel betrayed because I announced my operation in August. They told me that there was no problem, that Romane would do the European Championships… I told them that my goal was not these European Championships but the Olympic Games, to be at 100 % at this moment. I gave them all the arguments. They just said: Romane won the European Championships so it will be her at the Olympics.”
A choice which is not scandalous given the track record and the level displayed by the Paris SG judokate, world number 1. Simply, Julia Tolofua regrets the timing of this announcement, which could have come next April, which would have allowed her to play her card to the end and, perhaps, be able to reverse the trend. “It seems like they’ve already decided. They already know who they want to put and they do what they want. It’s not a communication problem. It’s too easy an excuse, they have all the means to do it. We feel like pawns, no matter how much we fight, but for them it’s already decided. We take it like we’re shit, sorry for the expression. It really hurts.”
Given the strong competition in other categories, there is no doubt that this reaction will not be the only one in the more or less near future for French judo.
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