On June 27, the National Museum of Sport opened its doors in Nice at the heart of the Allianz Riviera. More than 45 objects and 400,000 documents form one of the largest collections in the world.
Yesterday, Minister Patrick Kanner, accompanied by Secretary of State Thierry Braillard, Prefect Adolphe Colrat, regional presidents Michel Vauzelle, Eric Ciotti, and Christian Estrosi, as well as parliamentarians and local officials, officially inaugurated it.
Designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the complex, which spans 4,800 m2, is punctuated by highlight moments that juxtapose the Museum’s collections with events from the history of sport.
The mission of this museum is transmission, knowledge, and assistance in understanding.
This reflects the inaugural words of Madame Annie Lheritier, its president.
As for the authorities, Christian Estrosi, after discussing the genesis of this project and the various stages leading to it, did not miss the opportunity to deliver a speech with a controversial tone to express his opposition to the sports policy of regional President Michel Vauzelle, whom he considers (in his own words) guilty of boycotting initiatives from Nice.
Following a clarification by Secretary Thierry Braillard, who sought to correct some of the arguments used by the Mayor of Nice to support his anti-Marseille advocacy, Minister Patrick Kanner’s empathy brought back the ceremony’s convivial and festive character.
The Minister, himself a former president of a general council, demonstrated thorough awareness of the on-ground realities. His exchanges with the president of CG06, Eric Ciotti, even provoked laughter from the usually stern Ciotti, which is not an achievement to be overlooked, quite the opposite.
“Sport must unite beyond affiliations and convictions, its language is as universal as its values,” said Minister Kanner in front of an assembly that included, alongside some sports champions, numerous club leaders and the traditional cohort of friends and friends of friends.
