The French Athletics Federation unveils its new performance project

On December 16, the French Athletics Federation presented its performance plan looking ahead to 2036 to the press. Frank Bignet, National Technical Director, and Jean Galfione, Olympic pole vault champion in 1996 and recently appointed to strengthen the federation’s team, expressed their ambition for France to rank among the top three athletics nations in Europe.

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The goal is to firmly establish French athletics among the top three nations in Europe,” insisted Frank Bignet, National Technical Director of the French Athletics Federation, during the presentation of the performance plan at the federation’s headquarters in Paris. “Athletics intends to contribute to the success of French sport, and we will put all our positive energy into achieving that,” he emphasized, noting that French athletes have the potential to win medals. This is an ambitious yet realistic project, focused first on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, then on Brisbane 2032, and extending through 2036.

The ambition is reinforced by the appointment of Jean Galfione, the French 1996 Olympic pole vault champion and former ocean-racing skipper, whose mission as manager of the Los Angeles 2028 program will be to strengthen elite performance. This is a crucial task in a still challenging context for French athletics. The sport is one of the most competitive in the world, with constant international depth that makes winning medals difficult.

“To meet that challenge, we must improve our actions and precisely assess the needs of our athletes,” said Frank Bignet. Jean Galfione also highlighted the potential of coaches, on the same level as that of the athletes. Further professionalizing coaching is another development priority. “Supporting them means involving their coaches as true partners working as a team,” added Frank Bignet.

| Claimed ambitions

Despite a modest outcome at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with only one medal — the silver won by Cyréna Samba-Mayela in the 100 m hurdles — the results from recent championships have been more encouraging. Sixteen French athletes reached finals at the World Championships in Tokyo last September, not to mention Jimmy Gressier’s gold and bronze in the 10,000 m and 5,000 m (compared with 10 finalists in Paris). These results placed France fifth in the placing table, as was also the case at the most recent European Youth Championships.

Likewise, the French team distinguished itself as the leading European nation at the European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa, Portugal, on December 14. A record number of medals was achieved, despite “the lack of individual podium finishes,” as Frank Bignet pointed out. The European U23 Championships in Bergen, Norway, and the U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, confirmed that the rising generations are promising and deserve very close attention.

The key is to maintain a clear direction and “high ambitions,” because “high standards are non-negotiable.” To that end, the French Athletics Federation plans to strengthen its ties with the entire “athletics ecosystem,” including coaches, agents, equipment suppliers, local authorities, and clubs. Closeness is “essential” in order to move forward collectively. The former Olympic champion added that the gap between top national level and the world elite is very small, so every detail must be examined.

| Building a relationship of trust

Jean Galfione’s appointment is part of this momentum. With his “inspiring leadership,” “record of achievements that speaks for itself,” and “team-minded approach gained through his experience in sailing,” the former Olympic champion intends to put his experience at the service of the group. The skipper has identified a strong need for listening and human closeness expressed by clubs and athletes. The goal is to build a relationship of trust, identify athletes with potential, stand by their side, and “do everything possible to help them take the step to the very highest level,” in other words, reach the podium.

Among the measures announced, the French Athletics Federation expressed its intention to support elite athletes in their day-to-day lives, beyond the mechanisms that already exist. This structuring approach is aligned with the “Ambition Bleue” program led by the French National Sports Agency.

| Improving everyday conditions

The leadership team plans to offer athletes a formal social and employment status through the creation of a cooperative structure that already supports around fifty of them under work contracts. The aim is to create a calm and secure environment so that identified athletes can train under good conditions and reach the world elite. “We would like to give them a comfort zone, because they will have to take risks every day to become the best,” said Frank Bignet. “We need to make progress in everything we do. We must reduce uncertainty on the day of major championships, and that comes from supporting athletes in their daily lives.”

Another focus is to strengthen a “performance culture,” taking into account each individual’s uniqueness and needs with tailored solutions, such as appropriate training conditions and training camps, without neglecting the scientific and medical dimension, which is essential in this process.

| Strengthening INSEP

The leadership also expressed the desire to “strengthen INSEP in terms of expertise and resources.” The goal is to make INSEP a true “base camp,” to open it up more widely to those who wish to train there, and to make it more dynamic.

The federation intends to rely on transparency and human relationships. This includes clearer explanations of selection procedures and resource management. “We need to combine high standards, kindness, and solidarity, and stand alongside the athlete so they can fulfill their potential,” summarized Frank Bignet.

The leadership also said they are paying close attention to the “American dream.” The French Athletics Federation aims to map the strengths of universities in the United States to better guide those who choose “alternative pathways,” while maintaining close ties with them so they can return under the best possible conditions.

✔ Interview with Frank Bignet by the French Athletics Federation

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