The French Volleyball Federation announced on Thursday the cessation of all amateur competitions in mainland France and overseas territories.
President Eric TANGUY, also Vice-President of the CNOSF, explains this decision and also discusses the “Summer 2020” plan that the FFVolley is working on, as well as the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics.
You announced Thursday the end of the 2019/2020 season for many amateur competitions, was this inevitable?
Yes, it was, because the opportunities to resume competitions were decreasing more and more, with the likely extension of the lockdown expected to be announced. As president of the French Volleyball Federation, I also call on all licensees to show solidarity and responsibility by strictly adhering to this lockdown, without which the virus cannot be effectively fought. This extension inevitably causes upcoming problems, such as the unavailability of gymnasiums, end-of-year school exams, and others… After consulting with all league presidents on Monday for their opinions, the Executive Committee made the final decision on Thursday morning.
Professional competitions are currently only suspended; what about the Final Fours of the Coupe de France, which were supposed to take place in mid-March?
For now, they remain suspended as well; our decision will depend on the positions taken by the National Volleyball League during its next board meeting. Without presuming what will be announced, if the LNV decides to end the professional season, it will be almost impossible for us to hold these Final Fours with the same players. However, if the season resumes during a specific period, we might be able to schedule the Final Fours. So today, before any final decision, we are waiting for that of the LNV.
What about the national beach circuit, France Beach Volleyball Series 1, which is supposed to resume in May?
The beach season is still maintained to this day, however, the Nantes tournament (Series 1) initially scheduled for the weekend of May 8-10, 2020, is postponed to 2021. As for the rest, we hope that the rest of the season can take place as planned, especially the French Championships at the end of July. Furthermore, we maintain the Youth French Cups, the Senior French Cup, and even a project for a second Senior French Cup as part of a large plan, which I currently call “Summer 2020,” on which we are working.
What is it about?
This plan aims to encourage clubs and their licensees to resume physical activity around volleyball this summer, once the lockdown is behind us, which I hope will be as soon as possible. To this end, I have put all the commissions to work to offer me proposals; this could be, for instance, organizing competitions or challenges, notably in 3×3 on sand or grass with a reduced game. It is also an opportunity for clubs that do not necessarily have the time to switch from indoor season to the beach season to rediscover for their licensees the pleasure of practicing beach volleyball.
Another topic of the week: the IOC announced Tuesday the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to 2021, what is your sentiment?
Given the worsening global health situation, it had become inevitable to postpone the Olympics. Initially, a delay of a few weeks was mentioned; eventually, it will be a year. I think the IOC made the right decision.
What are the consequences for the French teams, especially the beach team, which were still aiming for qualification?
Our men’s indoor French team was qualified, so it will give them more time to prepare for a strong season and perform at the Olympics next year. Regarding beach volleyball, we are eagerly awaiting the reopening of the qualification process, which may give our teams more chances to go to Tokyo. Indeed, with the cancellations of all World Tour tournaments that were to take place starting in March, qualification by ranking became more and more complicated, if not impossible, as did qualification through the Continental Cup, since the second round had been canceled. Thus, a genuine opportunity to qualify has returned for our French women’s and men’s teams.
Laurent Tillie has expressed his intention to step down as coach after the Tokyo Games, does the one-year postponement change anything?
Laurent shared this decision with me right after the Berlin TQO, and I understand his reasons for wanting something new. He spent eight years at the helm of this French team, with which he had an extraordinary journey, and he desires renewal, which I find completely normal and respectable. He is understandably frustrated by the postponement because he wanted to conclude this adventure with two consecutive Olympics. Now, I will be exploring different scenarios and attempting to ensure that he can reach the end of the project we entrusted to him. When we renewed his contract in 2016, one of the objectives was to qualify France for the Olympics and seek a medal; we are working towards that, and I am confident that we will see this adventure through with him.
