If we know the story of the mother of Gabriella Papadakis, creator and first coach of the couple who became Olympic champion on Monday February 14, that of her father is much less known. Originally from Greece, Emmanouil Papadakis moved to the United States at the end of 2011 when his daughter was heading to Canada to complete her training. Today the owner of one of the most famous food trucks in Texas, he remains the first supporter of the career of his daughter and her partner, Guilaume Cizeron. “Children” he accompanied and who moved him to tears when they passed through the Beijing ice.
Franceinfo: sport: How did you experience the Olympic coronation of your daughter Gabriella and her alter ego, Guillaume Cizeron?
Emmanouil Papadakis: We were with some journalists at home, with neighbors and friends who came to support us too. We had prepared a big party with decorations. I was stressed, as usual. When the result was announced, we exploded with joy, we shouted, we cried… It was huge and we had a really big party afterwards. I was sure they were going to get gold but we were a bit surprised by the scores of the other skaters. I was starting to be worried after the passage of the Russians but when I saw the start [de Gabriella Papadakis et Guillaume Cizeron]that they started dancing, I said to myself ‘It’s good, there is no better than them, they have touched the sky, we can’t go any further'”.
What did she say to you after her victory?
After the contest, we called each other via Whatsapp. We congratulated her and she told me not to cry, but it was not possible. I couldn’t stop. I who am Greek, I know what the Olympic Games represent: it is the crème de la crème. In ancient times, Olympic athletes were said to be demigods. You imagine ? To me, they are demigods. I was in Pyeongchang four years ago, it was very frustrating and the years that followed were complicated.
I haven’t been able to see her for three years because of the pandemic. It’s starting to be very hard. She promised me that we would go to Greece this year. They are very busy. They don’t just skate, there are all the extras, the media solicitations, their personal projects. They are two very hard workers so they don’t have much time left. Then the pandemic was very hard to live with.
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Especially since Gabriella was exiled in Canada…
Luckily we call each other every day. We make each other laugh because my daughter and I like to tease and make each other laugh. We keep a very good bond. Both of these two children have great hearts. Many journalists here in the United States ask me if I am proud. Of course I’m proud, but I’m especially proud of who she is: she’s a person with a huge heart, very intelligent, very funny and above all down to earth. I’m proud for that first, the medal comes after. They have become examples.
Did you expect such a future when you experienced the beginnings of the couple, sixteen years ago in Clermont-Ferrand?
As soon as my ex-wife put them together, we knew it was going to work between them. When they started international competitions, it was not easy right away. They skyrocketed thereafter. I hadn’t thought about the Olympic medal but I thought they could become world champions.
My ex-wife and I were into sports. She [Gabriella] was three years old when she put on her first ice shoes. She had to get up at six in the morning to go skating, poor thing. Her mother was a teacher in Clermont-Ferrand and absolutely wanted her daughter to skate. I didn’t know anything about skating, I didn’t really like it, it was too cold…