“I am actually feeling super well and I am happy that the competitions, both the Olympics and the Paralympics, went super well. At the same time, I am a bit sad because it’s the end. Today though, I am looking forward to seeing the French judoka shine.

If I look at the sport aspect, everything went really well. We had two beautiful events and an exceptional public. This is what we were looking for and we got it. So, mission accomplished!

Personally speaking, I am really proud of the team I worked with. It was intense, it was hard, but in the end, I will only remember the immense joy that we had working together.

It’s a strange feeling, because it’s like we have lived an accelerated life. The past month was like one week and finishing with the Paralympics is a great way to end this adventure. I am really happy to see that the public came en masse to watch the para-judo.

Of course, we had some challenges, the main one being the configuration of the venue. This site was built temporarily and it was not designed specifically for judo events. It was tested only once during the test event last year.

There was therefore a lot of newness concerning the structure itself but also the flows (athletes, coaches, spectators, VIP, media). This is where it was the most difficult before the start of the Games. But we had an incredible team, a very young team and we had to adapt quickly. We did learned fast and with the support of the IJF and now IBSA, we could do it. We needed that and I want to thank both organisations.

Out of everything we witnessed, there were moments that stand out of course. I could mention the final of the mixed team event during the Olympic Games and Teddy’s final. Being so close to the action was unbelievable. We are involved in sport in which we can truly live those kinds of moments.

Meeting with the judo world was something special and it was a beautiful encounter. They are amazing people, very professional and friendly, with a lot of competencies and expertise in judo. It is also a very demanding world. You have to be at your top level. This is good for sport and it needs for you to be adaptable.

Honestly I discovered the judo family with the Games. I had contacts with martial arts before but not specifically with judo. What impresses me the most is the respect and the values that drive the sport. Judo is a fight, it’s physical, but there is so much respect.

Now I have 2.5 weeks of holidays. I am going to sleep well for sure. We will have to recover from those crazy weeks. Now it’s almost over, I can say that everything is just positive. All the challenges are forgotten and I will only remember an incredible adventure, the kind of adventure you only live once in a lifetime.

From a personal, professional and human point of view, it was a formidable accelerator. Within a few months, I learned the equivalent of four or five years.”

In a couple of weeks, after his well deserved holidays, Alexandre Poutout will be back in Paris to conclude this beautiful part of his life. What is next? He doesn’t know yet, but for sure he’ll be involved in sport.