«Seeking performance doesn't please everyone»: JO 2024, politics, Minister of Sports... Claude Onesta confides in Le Figaro

In an exclusive interview with Le Figaro, Claude Onesta, the former architect of high performance within the National Sports Agency (ANS), opens up about his impactful seven-year tenure. His work was instrumental in propelling the French collective to success at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Now, he shares his insights and experiences in his newly released book, "Performer – La Méthode de Claude Onesta."

Onesta describes his time at the ANS as far from a smooth journey, marked by considerable challenges and opposition. Despite these hurdles, he felt compelled to write the book not as an act of revenge, but to recount his experiences accurately, preventing others from misrepresenting them. He emphasizes that his intention was never to settle scores, even though he acknowledges that many obstacles were placed in their path.

The former handball coach, known for his calm demeanor, shared his thoughts from the offices of his publisher, Michel Lafon. While his contributions to French sports are undeniable, Onesta reveals that the demanding nature of the role and the political landscape have definitively cured him of any ambition to hold a ministerial position in sports. This perspective, deeply rooted in the realities of French sports administration and politics, offers a unique insight often missed by international observers who may only see the sporting achievements.

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Déjà, je n’ai pas vocation à inventer des histoires, mais à les raconter parce que je n’aime pas quand les autres les racontent à notre place. Je n’ai pas voulu écrire un livre empreint de revanche ou de règlement de comptes, même si des gens nous ont mis beaucoup de bâtons dans les roues.