Emmanuel Macron during a trip to Pont-Saint-Marie, in Aube, May 19, 2021. – Ludovic Marin / AP / SIPA
Present in the Aube on Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron visited a gymnasium in Pont-Sainte-Marie (Aube) to mark the start of the resumption of sports activities. Arrived alongside Tony Parker and footballer Laure Boulleau, the Head of State attended a basketball event and presented the “Sport Pass”, a new aid for young athletes.
This “Sport Pass”, an aid of 50 euros per child, intended for families who receive the back-to-school allowance or for children with disabilities, helps finance registration in a club affiliated with a federation – or, in priority areas of the city, also to a sports association. In total, 5.4 million children will be eligible for this aid, which will be available at the start of the school year. The executive expects a utilization rate of around 50% and intends to renew this aid in 2022.
3.5 billion euros to support the sports ecosystem
After this meeting, Emmanuel Macron went to the municipal stadium to attend the training of the young people of FC Pont Sainte Marie, and discuss with them. Emmanuel Macron recalled that the health crisis had been particularly “hard” for young people, who had to make “sacrifices” in their activities, especially sports, but he was pleased to have made the choice to “preserve them (… ) by opening schools as much as possible ”. “This recovery is extremely important for the health of our children”, as well as food, he also stressed.
Via the various Covid aids, the State has already deployed 3.5 billion euros to support the sports ecosystem, according to the Elysee and 100 million euros have been budgeted for this new device. This would already bring a big breath of fresh air to the clubs, who fear they will not see their members return after the pandemic.
The Head of State wanted to show his consideration “for a sector which he knows has been particularly affected by the health crisis,” said the Elysee. It is also a message in view of the 2024 Olympic Games which will take place in Paris, which should allow France to develop the place of sport in society.
“This resumption of sport is also the starting point of a new long-distance race which takes us until 2024”, where the objective will be “to bring back the maximum number of medals”, but also to “really make France. a sporting nation ”, declared the President of the Republic.