From Vaulting to Jumping fans share their enthusiasm

On 2 September, the day French schoolchildren went back to school, the world’s best vaulters went back to work in Caen’s Zenith. In a cozy atmosphere Tuesday morning, spectators watched on with admiration and attentiveness as the various athletes, particularly the French vaulters, performed their routines: “I don’t know this discipline very well” Paul, from the region of Vendée, admitted. Yet he was won over by the atmosphere of the Zenith, which is more used to hosting music shows, “In any case, it’s magical”, he added. “We can’t wait for the French to go. We get so excited cheering them on but above all we want to make sure all countries feel welcome here at the Games” Léa, a resident of the nearby department of La Manche, said. Entertainment, but also respect for the sport: when the PA announcer says that flash photography is forbidden so as not to disrupt the horses and riders, the public abides without complaint. “I’ve got no problem with that at all. It’s a question of respecting the athletes and riders,” Jospeh and Maud, from right here in Caen, said. “They are riders but also gymnasts. I think it is the most artistic of disciplines. But I’m surprised how young they are. It’s impressive” Laurence, from Paris, said.

Another place, another decor, another discipline. In D’Ornano Stadium, the Jumping has gotten underway. A host of Normandy-themed jumps dot the arena: Mont-Saint-Michel, the cliffs of Etretat, apples and pears, the beaches, Roeun the city with 100 church steeples…I’m new to the sport and I think it’s great to have so many symbols of our region,” Dorothée, from Dieppe, said.

Spectators have flocked to this major discipline. “We’re not specialists, but we had to make a choice between Vaulting and Jumping. We know the French riders are strong in this discipline, so we wanted to cheer them on” Brigitte, who lives just a stone’s throw from the stadium, said. Every rider receives an ovation. “It must be really motivating when they enter the arena and see the French flag and hear the cheers” Martine, from Morbihan, said. “We’ve been planning our trip for over a year. We’ve organized ourselves to be ready to stay for the entire competition,” she said, as she held her breath as the riders approached every jump, “it frightens me, it’s so impressive, we watch them closely and go through the same emotions,” she added. And when riders fall, all spectators are disappointed but they are sure to give them a warm round of applause as they leave the arena. “It must be tough to bow out like that. We have to applaud their efforts, what dedication to prepare for a competition like this” Jeanne, a rider from Rouen, said.   

A few seats away, we found Bénédicte who was watching the competition with a more seasoned perspective. “Look, he handled that transition well; he is controlling his horse better” she said to her brother. Both are riders. “I’m thrilled just to be here,” she said, “I love the discipline so much I could stay all week,” she concluded.

And that is just what Bénédicte and many others who are passionate about these two disciplines expect to do until the finals.