Written by Ivan Stone, Nishan Chirkuri, Ed Carruthers
April 5, 2024 02:17, updated April 5, 2024 02:54
This is the hilarious moment when the opening of France's Olympic swimming center went awry. A diver slips on a diving board, bounces once, and rolls around in the water.
French Olympian Alexis Gendart fell on his back in front of a large crowd, including President Emmanuel Macron, at the opening of the £154m (approximately €180m) purpose-built venue. I saw it fly out.
The 26-year-old diver wore a Speedo in the colors of the French flag as he lined up to somersault into the pool with two other athletes as part of the celebrations.
In a reply to a video of her fall posted on X, Jandar said, “Thank you for your support!” By the way, my lower back is fine, but my ego…''
The swimmer, who shared silver with Jade Gillett in the team event at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships, bounced up and down on the board before landing awkwardly on her right foot.
Then, at a fateful moment, he seemed to lose his balance and fell backwards onto the board and then into the water.
After the fall, Jandar reassured fans that he was not injured in the incident, saying, “If we take a step back, it could be interesting.”
“I want to reassure you right away, there is no problem,” he told French outlet RMC Sport.
'Everything is fine. I didn't hurt myself, but unfortunately these things happen. It came at a time I wasn't expecting at all.
“These things happen, but they don't usually happen to me. I've broken boards before, but boards have never broken me before.”
Explaining why he lost his balance, he added: “Even though I had supported myself when I arrived, my legs gave out. I didn't slip.
“Then I fell onto the board. It wasn't slippery and plus the board was new and clean and I think my back was still on the board. Small hazard.
“Also, it was a live performance, so obviously it ended up the way it did. It's unfortunate, but it's funny. It's funny when you step back.”
The Aquatics Center is the only permanent sports facility planned for construction in the run-up to the 2024 Olympics and will be able to accommodate 5,000 spectators with the addition of an additional 2,000 removable seats.
The new building will host water polo, diving and synchronized swimming competitions, and after the games it will be used as a venue for Paralympic swimming competitions.
At the ceremony, President Macron praised the people who worked hard to build the new facility, telling French news agency RFI: “It is an amazing chain of people that has made the construction of this center possible.”
“The elected representatives and local authorities who are funding this project, along with the government and all government departments that have overseen the project.
“And I would like to pay tribute to our architects, contractors and the thousands of craftsmen who worked on this project.”
Macron added: “We will train future champions here in the pool and they will be able to play other sports here as well.”
“You can be proud of what you have here.”
This summer's Olympic diving competition will be held from July 27th to August 10th.
