More comfortable with a ball at your feet than with a flame in your hands. In an interview with Figaro , Michel Platini recounted his experience as the last bearer of the Olympic flame in 1992, at the Winter Olympics in Albertville. However, the French football legend wanted nothing to do with the precious torch.
” Jean-Claude Killy (triple Olympic alpine champion in 1968 and organizer of the Games in 1992) come home and tell me: “Michel, you must light the flame. » I answer him immediately: “No, it’s not my world, I don’t see what the hell I’m doing here. I don’t know how to ski, what do you want me to do in the Winter Olympics? » And there he answers me: “I want it to be you, because you are the most famous French personality in the world. I spoke to François Mitterrand about it (President of the Republic at the time), he agrees. » I say no, but he insists with his own arguments: “Do you see your house? I’m going to take a trailer, and I’m not leaving here until you say yes to me . » »
“I wasn’t proud”
The 1984 European football champion finally accepted, in the utmost secrecy. ” Even the second to last flame bearers found out it was me at the last moment “, he emphasizes.
Anyone who has experienced the biggest stadiums and the most flamboyant atmospheres comes to the opening ceremony of the 1992 Olympic Games with the greatest apprehension. ” I have experienced stadiums, World Cups, but at that time I was no longer a player (since 1987), more trained, I smoked, and I had to climb all the steps with a child in one hand and the flame in the other. I was very anxious at the thought of cramping, feeling unwell. I wasn’t proud. Before it was my turn, I stretched in an office (laughing), no one saw me. »
ALSO READ. Olympics 2024. Last torchbearer: Marie-José Pérec obviously, with a young person by his side?
Michel Platini also recalled his memories of the 1976 Olympic Games with the French football team in Montreal (elimination in the quarter-finals against the GDR). ” During the lighting of the flame, during the opening ceremony, I remember that we were supposed to flirt with the Swedes and the Norwegians. In 1976 there was a party in the village (laughing), we had a blast. »
Related Posts
Eighth win for Damian Warner at Göztis
De Grasse 2nd in 100m in Marrakech, Mitton in bronze in weight
