"We've been preparing for each event for three weeks": in Le Cannet, the Mini Olympics bring together nearly 2,000 students for sport and solidarity

We hear the cheers from afar. Well before we even step onto the synthetic pitch of the Maurice-Jeanpierre stadium. It's only natural, it's the Mini Olympics. The 43rd edition, with no fewer than fourteen classes per day, from all the city's elementary schools. On the menu for budding athletes: long jump, hurdles, shuttle relay, vortex throwing, and the big relay. Yesterday, it was the CE2s who were in the spotlight, with refreshing enthusiasm but a winning spirit, like Elyas (8 years old) from Les Mirandoles: "I've always loved the Olympics. I already did them last year. We trained well, I hope we'll win! I don't want to disappoint my school." More composed, Gêna (7 years old) is participating with pleasure: " I love sports and I'm happy to be here. I'm going to run the big relay with my school." For their school teacher, Evane Fontana, the children love this event and are really enjoying it: "We've been preparing for each event for three weeks. They're very motivated and want to win... Just like me!"

Large collection for the Restos du Coeur

On the synthetic pitch, there's jumping, running, and cheering. The atmosphere is friendly, with sports as the common thread, but not only that. Since 2010, the Mini Olympics have become a charity event. For the second year in a row, a large collection of non-perishable food items for the Restos du Coeur was organized with donations from all the schools. A great event, a sporting event, a winning combination for Yann Sauriac and his team.

In the end, 1,960 students, seventy-seven classes, eighty teachers and fifty activity leaders from the Pasteur, La Bastière, Les Cougoussolles, Jules-Ferry, Val-des-Fées, Les Mirandoles and Saint-Jean schools took part in this traditional end-of-year event.