Written by Trackandmemes, September 24, 2024
Fafa is theflamboyant energy of Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024. In a few words, Fafa is a torchbearer, volunteer, teacher and committed. In a few lines, Fafa is not a nickname. For her full name is Fafa Bechikh. 50 years old, single and childless, this former top-level 400m hurdler saw her life take a new turn at the age of 15 after winning a cross-country race in high school. It was after this victory that she found her place in the world of athletics.
You've gone from top-level athlete to PE teacher at INSEP. What advice can you give to athletes planning to retire?
Frankly, the transition can sometimes be violent and brutal. As far as retirement is concerned, I think you have to be able to draw on your experience as a top-level athlete, and put to good use everything you've learned.
But in the end, it's all good, because what you've started out with in sport will help you in your future projects.
How did you become an Olympic torchbearer?
They were looking for inspirational people. There was a whole dossier to fill in, including my past and present experiences and my future aspirations. I'm very involved in associations for women suffering domestic violence, but also in other actions that advocate mutual aid and everything to do with people.
One Wednesday, I get a video call to tell me that I'm an Olympic torchbearer. I don't announce it directly to the people around me, because I can't quite bring myself to do it. Out of 30,000 applications, mine went through. It's crazy. I said to myself that it was going to have a big impact on my work, because I'm a PE (Physical Education and Sport) teacher, but it's also going to have a big impact on my old commune where I was born. I was invited by Europe 1 (French radio), France Inter (French radio), and other journalists contacted me to tell them my story.
I sometimes met people on the street. They were proud of me, of Fafa the torchbearer. My family was super happy too. This year, my 50th birthday, is a consecration. On top of that, in May, I was told that I'd been invited to the island of Dominica for a Koh Lanta carabbean to take part in sporting events. The show will be broadcast soon.
Tell us three stories about three top athletes.
A warm moment
During the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, I was with the delegation, applauding them. At one point, I saw an athlete come up to me, give me a hug and say: “Are you all right, sister-in-law? Everyone around us was wondering who this athlete was, hugging and kissing me. In fact, it was an athlete I'd met on last year's delegation.
Moment of exaltation
Another little anecdote... When I was in the stands, Layla Almasri, one of Palestine's athletes, ran her 800 meters, and after her race she came to see me in the stands because her delegation was badly placed. I welcome her into my stand, and some of the American and British athletes recognize her and start to express their joy by shouting. I organize a photo session, and Layla starts signing autographs on people's sneakers, taking photos... This athlete has left a deep impression on me.
Unexpected moment
The third anecdote concerns the Brazilian Ricardo Mendonça, double gold medallist in the 100-metre and 200-metre events.
At one point, when I got to the media level, I raised my head and shouted “RICARDO”. And then he starts speaking to me in Brazilian, even though I can't understand a word of it. It was improbable, but my joy was immense.
What was done well at these games and what should change for future games?
From an organizational point of view, everything lined up. It's true that there was some controversy in the Olympic Village about the bedding, and the food too... Some people complained that they couldn't eat enough or of good quality. As for transport from one site to another, it was well organized.
It's been an extraordinary six weeks. It's been an enormous breath of fresh air for the French and the spectators.
What would you like to see next year?
We're going to keep repeating these crazy projects that will allow us to rekindle this flame. It's a flame that has given light to all of France, and that will continue to blaze in our hearts.s
We have to keep it that way; have these human relationships authentic, and, above all, maintain them to keep on shining.
Today, you're single and childless. But we also know you as a dynamic, festive woman who lives for the moment..
Is there a link between your life choices and your strong personality?
I knew as early as elementary school that I didn't want to have children. My choice was already radical. I'm a free spirit. I love life. I like to crunch it. I like to burn it.
Four years ago, I had some health problems that made me put things into perspective. I was already taking a step back when it came to life in general, but when you're close to death, you say to yourself: “God is great. It just wasn't my time”. And so you take things in your stride, and all the emotions are multiplied tenfold.
I was raised in a family cocoon where a dynamic was well integrated. Because of my character, I felt the need to enjoy everything, all the time. I always went all out, as if I were living my last day. My strong personality developed over time.
I'm very empathetic. And between you and me... Sport is the best school of life. We were brought up to respect each other, to be there for each other, to be there for our fellow man, to give, to help each other and to be in solidarity. These are codes that run in my family. And that's something we can't change, because it's part of us, part of our personality.
I didn't grow up in a golden cocoon, but that hasn't stopped me from becoming who I am today; with a family cocoon, well surrounded while walking hand in hand.
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