This Friday, at the Antibes Nautical Stadium, Alain Bernard ended his sports career. Olympic champion of the 100-meter freestyle at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the man who carried French gold came to celebrate a jubilee worthy of his 1.96-meter record.
The swimming club of Antibes knows Alain well, and Alain knows the swimming club of Antibes well. Here, he is at home, and the residents of Antibes, who came in large numbers, feel proud to finally be able to thank the man who thrived in the pools of Antibes. Today, he returned to his adopted city for a farewell like no other. No, it’s not goodbye but a farewell with the feel of a “big party.”
A few words from the President of the French Swimming Federation who can only say “a big thank you to Alain.” What will be remembered about this champion is also the momentum he gave to French swimming. He is undoubtedly among those who allowed Florent Manaudou, Camille Mufat, Yanick Agnel, and other young champions to invest so much and bring glory to French swimming.
The festivities begin as Boris Steimetz enters, acclaimed by the public. A presentation of Boris’s achievements in the style of a boxing match: “He is 25 years old, born in Saint Denis de la Réunion, he was gold medalist in the 4×100 meter freestyle in Dubai alongside his team…” The champion and close friend of Alain Bernard presents himself and has the tough task of drawing a number from the audience. It’s a woman who will have to take on Alain Bernard’s stopwatch challenge in Montpellier in 2009. She makes the effort, and we attentively and simultaneously watch on the big screen the 46.94s that allowed Alain to set a 100m record. Time is up, and the poor woman is exhausted, barely at mid-length, but at least she played the game.
Boris Steimetz and Jeremy Stravius take over and perfectly execute a 50-meter freestyle before welcoming another great name in French swimming: Christophe Lebon. “He is 29 years old and swims at the Antibes France Pole, just like Alain Bernard, he is licensed at the Antibes swimming club, Olympic medalist in Barcelona, he held the short course 200m butterfly record.” And the story of this champion, very close to Alain Bernard, is quite unique. In Eindhoven in 2008, he reached 4th place in the 200m butterfly but ultimately received the bronze medal following a disqualification of a podium winner. This medal was handed to him “in haste,” with no real ceremony. Surprise: a podium is brought, and he receives his bronze medal properly from his mother and Franck Esposito, with the “Marseillaise” playing in the background.
The night is just beginning, and Alain Bernard’s jubilee honors his career as well as those who accompanied him. He is a simple man, simple and generous. But it is time to give back everything he gave us. Alain Bernard enters and greets his audience, an inexhaustible smile on his face, an imposing stature but exuding so much sympathy, our champion. The highlights of his career are replayed for him on video, flash-back! He is happy, proud, but remains humble in his greatness. He tries to thank those who allowed him to shine and to define what he has been, is, and will remain, he affirms that “it’s worth it not being able to see his family, his friends so often…” The man of gold is moved, with tears and a lump in his throat, Alain Bernard is given a standing ovation!
For this last appearance that isn’t really one, Alain dives into the pool’s crimson water for a “relay of friendship” with those he loves and in the exhilaration of a splendid career that we are not ready to forget.
