Paris Olympics: Cheung’s coach ‘ashamed to be French’ after multiple failures ahead of Games
- Greg Koenig is disappointed with the host city’s state of readiness, while drivers’ lack of knowledge and a rice shortage were other issues
The man looking to inspire Cheung Ka-long to back-to-back Olympic gold medals said he was ashamed to be French after witnessing multiple failures from the organisers up close in Paris.
A 40-minute ride from the Olympic Village became 90 after the driver missed an exit, leading to Greg Koenig arriving 45 minutes late to a “very important” technical meeting on Thursday. But that was not the only issue to hamper his preparation for the start of the Games.
A lot of work still remained at the Grand Palais venue just two days before the first bout begins: construction materials were scattered around the ground and there was dust everywhere in the arena.
“I saw a lot of people working on it so I’m a bit disappointed,” the head coach of the city’s foil team said. “I really want to see the venue already prepared and in amazing condition.
“A guy was cutting the metals and there is a lot of light. Nothing is ready, the driver is not ready and I am a bit ashamed to be French.”
Koenig added he had to instruct the driver which way to go because “I know Paris better than him”.