Double world judo champion, Fabien Canu was appointed head of the National Sports Institute (Insep) last September. During his mandate, he will notably have to manage the Paris 2024 Games. The former General Inspector of Youth and Sports would like to make it the home of all high-level French athletes on the occasion of Paris 2024.
” I don’t think I went more than eight days without doing any sport “. The smile of a happy man, for whom physical activity is a youthful passion that has marked his existence. Fabien Canu, double world judo champion, was appointed head of the National Sports Institute last September. The former leader of the French judo team was 18 when he crossed, for the first time, the gates of Insep, which now covers 28 hectares near the Bois de Vincennes in the Paris suburbs.
At 61, the former Olympic preparation manager (2006-2009) has therefore returned to the beautiful Insep site, where young shoots dream of shining at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. It must be said that man knows his subject by heart. He is able to give you the names still unknown to the general public of those who could find themselves on the catwalks of Paris 2024.
” In 2024, we can aim for fifth place among the nations “
“ I devote my weekends to sports broadcasts. I check the program and I stand in front of my TV He said. Much to the despair of his wife, a physical education and sports teacher. But someone who has just swallowed a salad for lunch due to lack of time continues to practice sports. Not judo, “ too dangerous ” at his age. Rather cycling. His slender figure confirms that he is not only a fan of the Sunday sofa.
Seventy-one percent of French medalists at the Tokyo Games last summer benefited from the services of Insep. Florian Rousseau, Teddy Riner, Muriel Hurtis, Amélie Mauresmo, Tony Parker, or Brahim Asloum have been there. And the former national technical director of the Judo Federation wants to make it the home of all French athletes by 2024, as far as possible. At the beginning of next year, he will receive all the presidents of federations in order, as a first step, to estimate the needs and put in place “ a roadmap “. “ We won’t get 80 medals, but we can aim for fifth place among the nations if we bring back more gold medals than in Tokyo. (10 in total) “, hopes the one who worked as special advisor to David Douillet at the Ministry of Sports and who knows the workings of ministerial cabinets.
An Olympic village atmosphere within Insep in 2024
“ If the National Sports Agency has the strategy for Paris 2024, Insep has a role to play », He specifies. ” I would like to know what the federations want before and during the games. We will have to go into detail in the next three months. The days are numbered. I’m waiting to know what they need in terms of support. All of this will have to be prepared as quickly as possible. I know the site is vast, but that’s why I was a candidate », Specifies Fabien Canu. Popular in the sports movement, he outlined his project with humility. He knows all too well the vagaries of top-level sport.
Insep, which offers sports and training, brings together specific sports equipment, medical and recovery infrastructures. Not to mention accommodation and catering. We talk about Data, dietetics, and we can do a CT scan, an MRI or a stress test. Insep has two research laboratories, a medical department with 80 people, and above all the possibility for 26 sports disciplines to train every day. This public establishment that many countries in the world envy us also supports athletes in their training and professional retraining. Moreover, one can quite often come across foreign delegations in search of performances and know-how.
” Insep must be visible to all before the Games, he argues. I want to create an Olympic and Paralympic village atmosphere, with athletes who feel supported. I want to bring in former athletes to create competition with meetings. In 2024, the Games will be at home and Insep must play its part “.
Far from remaining seated, compartmentalized in his office with his files, Fabien Canu will of course take the time to get in touch with the athletes and coaches. “ Medals are won mainly on the court “.
In short
Born in Saint-Valery-en-Caux, 61 years old
1987: first world title
1989: second world title in Belgrade
1992: high level manager at the French Judo Federation
2006: Olympic and Paralympic preparation officer
2009: appointed inspector general of Youth and Sports
2011: special advisor to Minister of Sports David Douillet
2021: appointed to the management of the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (Insep)