In Paris, sports often take a backseat to the city’s cultural highlights like food, fashion, and the arts. However, Victor Wembanyama aims to change that dynamic during the Paris Olympics. The 7-foot-4 French-born phenom, who made waves as a rookie for the San Antonio Spurs, is now the biggest name in France’s Olympic delegation.
Wembanyama, who is 20 years old, will be a central figure in the Games, not just for his on-court skills but also for his charisma that appeals to both die-hard sports fans and casual spectators. “I tend to underestimate the fan enthusiasm for me. I don’t pay more attention to it than that,” Wembanyama remarked recently. “But when I returned to France a few weeks ago for the first time, I felt the public’s enthusiasm was different from before.”
Victor’s arrival in the NBA had been eagerly anticipated for years, akin to the rise of French soccer star Kylian Mbappé, who at 18 led France to a World Cup title in 2018. However, with Mbappé’s recent move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid and his absence from the Olympics, the spotlight is firmly on Wembanyama. He has always held the Olympics in high regard, saying, “I have been preparing for them since the first time I saw the Olympics on TV. It was always a dream and then as we grew up it became a goal. It’s definitely something that’s really unique in sport. I think it’s the most important sporting event in the world.”
Due to scheduling concerns, Wembanyama will miss Friday’s Opening Ceremony as France opens basketball group play the next day in Lille, a train ride away from Paris. His presence is crucial for France’s hopes of challenging the United States’ streak of four straight gold medals in basketball. Interestingly, the U.S. team will practice on Wembanyama’s childhood home court in Levallois-Perret, in Paris’ western suburbs.
Benjamin Moubèche, a correspondent for France-based REVERSE who moved to San Antonio to cover Wembanyama’s NBA journey, noted, “Wemby appeals to both young people, who are increasingly interested in the NBA, and older generations, who are fascinated by his unique physique and excited to see a Frenchman excel in a sport where France has not been historically dominant.”
What sets Wembanyama apart from other French sports stars is his appreciation for the cultural metropolis he grew up in. After winning NBA Rookie of the Year honors, one of his first activities was modeling for French luxury brand Louis Vuitton at Paris Fashion Week. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “I felt a lot more pressure, but positive pressure, at the time of my first match with Spurs than during the Vogue fashion show on Place Vendome. Of course, I enjoy participating in extra-sports events like that, but it’s not a euphoric pleasure like basketball. Basketball is really my passion. It’s what I live for.”
Wembanyama remains focused on his goals on the court. “I don’t read the news about me, I don’t hang out on social networks,” he said. “The enthusiasm around me is not something that bothers me at all. Just trying to take the positive out of it. It’s something I would like to enjoy after winning titles.”
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