It is with pride that Oumar Diémé, 92, will carry the Olympic flame in Seine-Saint-Denis, the department where he lived for many years before returning to his native land, Casamance, Senegal. A former Senegalese rifleman, he fought in the colonial troops in Indochina and Algeria, and for this pentathlon specialist, carrying the flame requires preparation!
Brand new boubou in bright blue, decorated with a few medals, chéchia riveted to his head, Oumar Diémé, former Senegalese rifleman, has sparkling eyes. He is living a daydream: ” I didn’t expect this, I was overjoyed. But given my age, I would like to be accompanied by one of my children.” And it is El Hadji Diémé, his son, who accompanies him, but there is no question of him helping him carry the Olympic torch: ” The old man, he’s strong! (laughs) Because he spends all his time walking. There, in the village, every morning, he goes out and walks for five kilometers. So, I think that carrying the flame to go 100 meters is not a problem for him.
Indochina, Algeria, Oumar Diémé fought in the colonial troops. A former specialist in the military pentathlon, he is preparing to carry the torch: ” I will start doing some movement or movement to keep fit. I was athletic, I did the pentathlon. 3 000 meters, 40 kilometers… But above all, the obstacle course. He smiles. For him, these are good memories.
While carrying the flame, Oumar Diémé will have a thought for his brothers in arms: “ I think of my fellow fighters who fell in the conflicts, in Indochina, in Algeria, in Germany, all over the world and who are no more. I think of them a lot. Others are still there, but they can no longer move because they are sick. I wish them a good recovery.
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An event that the former Senegalese rifleman shares with his family
Next to Oumar Diémé stands one of his granddaughters, Souadou Diatta, to whom he has passed on his story: “OWe are very proud, very happy with what is happening to him, with what is happening to our family, because we would never have imagined that this day would come. I am quite surprised, actually.”
For his granddaughter, the symbol is important: “ For my part, I think it’s a very good thing to have called upon a Senegalese rifleman who is quite an important figure in France, because the Senegalese riflemen, they liberated France. I think they also need this recognition, even if it is quite late. Finally, my grandfather is one of the last, so I think it was still the time to pay tribute to them.
This event is now part of family history: “ I try to write a little so as not to forget myself and to be able to tell it to my children. Today, he carries the flame, that’s something else I could add. I think it’s important to keep all that in mind.”
Carrying the flame in Seine-Saint-Denis, a moment of great pride for Oumar Diémé.
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