The child of the country honored on his land. Quentin Fillon-Maillet and the inhabitants of Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux and celebrated his five medals at the Beijing Olympics, including two gold, this Saturday July 2 in front of the sports hall. After his titles in February, he had not been able to thank his Jura public as he should because of the sanitary measures. The franc-comtois had therefore promised a ceremony to close his magnificent season. It’s done. The opportunity also to celebrate his coronation in the general classification of the biathlon world championships in March.
A crowd to applaud the champion
In front of the podium, several hundred people responded. Families, retirees, teenagers, some of whom came from all over the department. The biathlete did an entrance worthy of a rock starwith the crowd around the barriers to the stage. “It makes me really happy to bring together so many people. I’ve been doing cross-country skiing and biathlon since I was little, not necessarily with the intention of providing emotions like that. And when I see the world, it really touches. Thank you, thank you all”points the athlete almost interfere with the microphone.
The town hall of Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux and the local ski club, where Quentin Fillon-Maillet started, had also brought in music groups, food trucks, a bar etc. The youngest were able to try their hand at biathlon on the lawn. Gifts were also offered to the public to thank him.
– Raphael Aubry
“I felt almost as indebted to giving something back to the fans. I was really surprised at how people experienced those races, explains to France Bleu Besançon the biathlete. It’s more than sports. People, tears in their eyes and very strong emotions and it’s nice to convey your emotion. There, it allows you to thank them, to share a moment with them, even if it is difficult to satisfy everyone with a photo or an autograph.
Fireworks at the end
Quentin Fillon-Maillet took to the signature games for a long time after the show on stage. The “rockstar” of Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux was also treated to fireworks after dark. “I also meet strangers this evening who ask me for autographs”have fun his mother Hélène, who still cannot believe the popularity of their son with her husband.
– Raphael Aubry