Insep, the esteemed French training facility, marking its 80th anniversary, unveils the confidential tactics behind its top athletes - Mimoun, Pérec, Parker, Riner.
The National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP): A Historical Overview
The National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (INSEP) has a rich and storied history that dates back to the mid-19th century.
In 1852, the École normale militaire de gymnastics opened at the Faisanderie, later becoming the École normale de gymnastics et d'escrime in 1872. Fast forward to 1945, the National College of Athletes was provisionally opened, marking the beginning of the modern INSEP.
The Institute underwent several name changes over the years. In 1946, it became the National Institute of Sports (INS), and in 1947, it became the Centre sportif des forces armées, renamed Bataillon de Joinville in 1956. The INSEP we know today was officially established in 1975, following its merger with the École normale supérieure d'éducation physique et sportive. This union resulted in the creation of the National Institute of Sport and Physical Education, alias Insep.
The INSEP was installed in the heart of the bois de Vincennes, on a former military site. Notable athletes such as Alain Mimoun, a former corporal-chief who joined the INSEP after winning the silver medal at the London Games in 1948, and Maurice Baquet, future deputy director of the INSEP, called this institution home.
Mimoun lived in a house named 'The Olympus', not far away from INSEP, after his Olympic title in the marathon in 1956. Baquet, in 1944, wrote that sporting victories would demonstrate the vigor, courage, and value of nations.
The INSEP has faced its share of challenges. In 1968, the staff went on an indefinite strike, with 124 votes in favor and 9 abstentions. Work resumed at INSEP on June 6, 1968.
Disaster struck at INSEP in the night of November 10-11, 2008, with a fire that destroyed the Émile-Schoebel swimming stadium. The head of INSEP at the time was Patrick Kanner. However, the Institute rebounded, and a new aquatic center, named Christine-Caron, was built at INSEP for 25 million euros.
The Institute has also seen moments of celebration. Charles de Gaulle inaugurated the new indoor athletics stadium (the Halle Joseph-Maigrot) at INSEP on October 4, 1965. More recently, François Mitterrand inaugurated the Marie-Thérèse Eyquem complex at INSEP in January 1984, dedicated to judo.
The Christine-Caron facilities have also served as a training ground for Hollywood. The cast of the film Le Grand Bain learned synchronized swimming under the guidance of the French national team coach, Julie Fabre, at the Christine-Caron facilities.
Today, INSEP continues to play a crucial role in the development of French sports, nurturing the talents of tomorrow and celebrating the achievements of the past.
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