Every day, a personality invites themselves into the world of Élodie Suigo. Friday, July 26, 2024: Sarah Daninthe, a bronze medalist in the team epee at the 2004 Athens Olympics and a double team world champion in 2005 and 2008. She is an ambassador for the Paris 2024 Games.
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At the age of five, Sarah Daninthe chose the épée as her best friend, as a vector of emotion, pleasure and passion. A few years later, at the age of 11, she took part in her first French championships before becoming two-time world champion with the French women’s épée team in 2005 and 2008. In Athens in 2004, she lived a waking dream with a team bronze medal at the Olympic Games. Today, she is an inspiring ambassador for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games which start on July 26.
franceinfo: Ambassador, does that mean transmitting the values of sport?
Sarah Daninthe: Yes, the transmission of its values. In addition, we are in a society where, at the moment, socially, it is not necessarily obvious, whether in France, in Europe or in other countries. Sport is also about bringing everyone together.
“It is important for us, as athletes, to transmit, share and validate all the values of sport.”
Sarah Danintheto franceinfo
You have participated in the World Championships, the European Championships, the Olympic Games. Does this bronze medal in Athens have a special flavor?
Yes, it’s the most beautiful! Especially since I decided at 16 that I would be an Olympic medalist. It’s true that fencing is an elitist sport and that I come from a modest background and that at 16, you’re generally not taken too seriously. I really had this trigger at that age, despite all the obstacles and obstacles that I had to face, whether they were related to racism, LGBT-phobia, sexism and others. Eight years later, I’m on an Olympic podium and what’s more with Laura Flessel who was the one who triggered this desire to make this dream come true! For me, there is nothing more beautiful because it is truly the accomplishment of work, conviction, commitment.
You come from Guadeloupe. At one point, you had to leave your island, was it hard?
For me, it was a real heartbreak.
“I have spent several weekends alone in a boarding school in Bordeaux. I also spent my first Christmas alone with just two people who came from time to time to feed me!”
Sarah Danintheto franceinfo
My family sacrificed for the success of my project. So, even in times when things weren’t going well, when I had doubts, I held on to that dream and to the fact that my mother, financially and physically, sacrificed herself so that I could be there.
Very early on, at 11 years old, you took part in the French championships, have you always had a strong mentality?
No. When I started fencing, in the early years, I was often second to last or last. I was quite reserved when I was younger. In this sport, but like in many others, the fact that there is this combat side and that we also fight with boys, I think that it also teaches us to trust ourselves. I know that sport has really taught me here and there, today, I feel good and strong. Strong enough also in society to take my place and express myself, to no longer be an invisible person. When I talk about invisibility, it is because I am a woman, I am black, I am homosexual, etc.
Is there a change in the way homosexuality is viewed in the world of sport?
Yes, things are changing. I don’t know how many homosexual athletes there are in France, but there are very few visible ones and yet there are still many of us who know each other. So, some choose to hide because behind that, there can be exclusion from the group and unpleasant behavior. I was “outed” against my will by my first girlfriend’s father, it was extremely violent. When my teammates found out, their behavior changed completely. This unspoken violence is the worst of all because it means that there is already a kind of trust that is broken. We, as homosexuals, have to struggle to get back into the group when we are not supposed to experience this. Now, it would be good if more active and retired athletes took a stand, whether they are homosexual or not, black or not, well, we don’t really care! We have to be able to accept everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, religion, skin color, etc.
What do you expect from these Paris Games?
So, I’m a real Olympics and sports fanatic. It’s true that I’d like there to be as many medals as possible for my friends at the Olympics and Paralympics. I also expect there to be a real communion with the French people because the Games are still a celebration, we mustn’t forget that. I hope that everything will go well in terms of security and that foreigners will feel good when they come to see the competitions. That everything will be perfect in terms of the media and that we have the same proportion of female and male athletes. A priori, these are the first parity games, so let’s go !