As Jo Crowley, author of all the interviews conducted as part of this project, which will span several years, says:, "The words ‘Olympic champion’ are heard a lot, especially in the sports world, of course, but also outside. The publicity around each Olympic Games lasts for as long as that cycle and even longer, perhaps including the whole of the previous cycle too."
Whether they are still active, like Clarisse Agbegnenou (FRA), who will try to win a new Olympic title after giving birth to her daughter, or whether they have retired from the tatami, they all have something to tell us and a message to convey to us. Actually, for most of them if not all of them, saying that they have retired from the tatami is not entirely accurate, because whatever they do today, whether or not in connection with judo and the world of sport, they retain a special attachment to our sport.
Come and discover the incredible testimonies and stories of our champions since judo made its appearance on the Olympic programme in 1964 in Tokyo. Discover what motivates them and what allowed them to shine brightly on their Olympic day. Get to know them better and understand how these 'normal' men and women managed to transcend themselves and become exceptional, to reach the summit of the sporting Olympia.
Some now have enough perspective to analyse in depth the implications of the coveted Olympic title. Others are still in the heat of action and will be present this summer in the French capital. Many are still active backstage to make judo progress. It is precisely the combination of all the testimonies that makes this series so rich. Today, on the eve of Paris 2024, it is more than necessary to discover our Olympic champions.