“No, however within the Basque Nation, there isn’t any extra rugby. They’re simply hopscotch over there! Jean-Michel and Brigitte Ollivon don’t decide up the spade of their neighbor. Within the crowd that massed between the RER station and the Stade de France, the gates burst between supporters of the Blues trapped within the queue resulting in the excavation. No strategy to drag on to defend the Rowing Bayonnais, we’re right here to assist the little one of many household, Charles. Who, 22 years after touching his first rugby ball alongside the handrail of the Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle stadium (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), released his XV French captain's armband in opposition to England this Sunday.
And the couple, arrived the day earlier than within the capital and joined by the eldest Alexandre and his companion Fanny, didn’t cross France to see the third line and their companions be thrashed as introduced by the English coach. On the Stade de France, they lined their eyes with their eyes, put in within the gallery in entrance of him when he was blowing his breath on the Marseillaise. They exclaimed with pleasure on the second French take a look at, entered by their new captain (20th). Applauded the second time their Charles crossed the road (55th). And misplaced their voice at the final whistle (24-17), in unison with a really heat Stade de France.
“We couldn't have requested for a greater dream,” says Jean-Michel Ollivon. We have now an incredible victory and Charles who places two tries. Essentially the most touching second was when he got here to the stands to kiss us on the finish of the match. He solely stayed 30 seconds, but it surely felt good to share that with him. “
“When (little) he misplaced, he got here again in tears”
A number of hours earlier, seated in a crowded brasserie bordering the enclosure of Lyon, the couple had retraced the journey of the son, who got here very younger to rugby within the footsteps of his elder. “He didn't actually have a selection,” breathes Brigitte. Throughout the week, the daddy works as a industrial in electrical tools, she is a housewife. On weekends, mother and pa maintain the rugby faculty the place Jean-Michel coaches and Brigitte manages the youngsters's snacks. “Charles received, but it surely was a tragedy when he misplaced,” slips his mom. He hated that, we noticed him come again in tears… ”
He likes it in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle. There may be his household, his associates and his favourite soccer membership, Actual Sociedad, a number of kilometers throughout the Spanish border. A lot in order that he stays along with his dad and mom, even after working in Bayonne. The massive leap was made in 2015 when he determined to affix Toulon (Var). “It was a giant change for him, he was going to a spot the place he didn't know anybody,” breathes Jean-Michel. And in a membership with much more competitors. “
He’ll particularly know there accidents which may have made him depart rugby. One 12 months after fracturing the left shoulder blade, Charles Ollivon is injured on the identical shoulder throughout coaching. Return to the identical surgeon in Muret, close to Toulouse. The dad and mom' faces shut on the mere point out of the episode. “We have been going to see it, however we noticed that it was very tough to reside,” blows the couple. He locked himself in, now not wished to go to the stadium as a result of he knew that he was going to be instructed about his state of well being. He has come a great distance. “
Kisses which can be higher than phrases
The household mobilizes and involves assist him in his clinic. The man is retyping, in his flesh and in his head. And replayed in March, satisfied the Blues workers, who made him a reservist for the World Cup earlier than being seduced by his slaughter and taking him to Japan. “He gave every part throughout this internship, every part,” says his father.
After an excellent World Cup, Ollivon is focused by the workers as a doable captain. “He known as us in early January once we have been strolling in Saint-Jean-de-Luz,” breathes Brigitte. He instructed me : Placed on the mother speaker. Right here I’m captain of the Blues. It was that straightforward. On Sunday, the Ollivon clan mentioned nothing or nearly nothing through the 30 seconds after the match. “There was no want for phrases,” slips Jean-Michel. Our kisses mentioned every part. “
