« I am happy to be back in competition and feel full of confidence », rejoices Romain Cannone. From Deauville (Calvados) where he is training, the Olympic epee champion in Tokyo is preparing for the Qatar Grand Prix to be held in Doha from January 28 to 30. With the desire to rediscover the sensations that allowed him to win, to everyone’s surprise, the first French gold medal of the last Summer Games. “ The Games are the Holy Grail, but I have plenty of other titles to look for “, continues the swordsman (24 years old) who dreams of climbing on the top step of the podiums of the European or world championships.
In the meantime, he is very happy to have landed a first job with EDF, premium partner of Paris 2024. For the past week, Romain Cannone has been the management controller of the Thermal division, expertise and industrial support for the energy company. The logical continuation of a school career that led him to a master’s degree in auditing and management control at Skema Business School. Approached by Ernst & Young, which offered him a job in auditing, Romain Cannone preferred management control and the CIP (professional integration contract) offered by EDF.
“It allows me to combine sport and work with a half-time contract, two days in the company and the rest telecommuting”
« This allows me to combine sport and work with a part-time contract, two days in the company and the rest telecommuting “explains the swordsman. He was also seduced by the team of EDF athletes that he joined immediately and which notably includes the double Olympic judo champion Clarisse Agbégnénou, the Paralympic high jump champion Arnaud Assoumani or even the double champion of the modern pentathlon world Valentin Belaud. ” I know Valentin well because we train together at INSEP; the others I will discover them and discuss with them on many subjects such as stress in competition “, continues the swordsman.
29
The number of athletes in the EDF team in 16 disciplines, including 17 men and 12 women, 17 able-bodied and 12 disabled.
A double satisfaction for the member of the VGA Saint-Maur very solicited by the media since his return from Tokyo. ” It was hard to manage this new status and to reconcile training and daily life. “, he admits. Nevertheless, his parents remained his “biggest sponsors”, as he confided to us again last October. ” EDF is not a company that only seeks to sponsor the medalist but also bets on my double project (sports and in business)”, appreciates the graduate.
Raised to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor by President Macron on September 13, Romain Cannone says to himself ” very happy to have been received at the Élysée. Coming from the United States, I was very proud […] I felt a deep thanks from the President “, he underlines without entering into the controversy over the interpretation of the words of the Head of State who asked the athletes to do better in 2024. “ In our sport in general, we don’t make a living, that’s why I’m going to work at EDF. We could be better supported, not just at government level. But you get involved out of passion and sport can also be a springboard for your post-career “, he continues. At 24, the one who discovered fencing 12 years earlier in New York obviously dreams of a double at the Paris 2024 Games. Until then, head for Doha.
