African athletes train table tennis in Aveyron

In Aveyron, coming from Djibouti, Ivory Coast and Benin, seven African athletes are training table tennis for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. They repeat the same gestures, 30 hours a week, following the advice from their coach. This preparation costs each person 600 euros per month on average, with brand new equipment and a professional trainer. “There aren’t many girls who have my level in Djibouti, so it’s a bit complicated to train, but also to progress”indicates Rama Houssein, player from Djibouti.

A sporting and cultural sharing

The first athletes arrived in Espalion (Aveyron) in 2021 at the initiative of the municipality, which facilitated their installation. Sharing is not only sporting, but also cultural. The 4,800 inhabitants of the town are mobilized to help these athletes, starting with health professionals and traders. Monday Olabiyi, player from Benin, is looking for a job in a store to finance his preparation.