DirectSoir Magazine #331 - 9th April 2008 - Sports Reaction

Enoch Effah:  "I was shocked"
The eighth carrier of the Olympic Torch on tuesday in Paris, Enoch Effah, 2007 heavyweight champion of the world in Savate Combat, recalls this event, torn between disappointment and pride, like many sportsmen.

DirectSoir: How did you feel about these events? 
We did not understand what happened.  But beyond lack of understanding, I was especially shocked to see that such an event, with all that it implies, gave rise to so much animosity and insults.  I even saw people covered in blood.  One would have said that the people were manipulated. 
DirectSoir: What happened with the Chinese supervision? 
The Chinese put us under terrible pressure.  They took us aside to demand in particular that we should not use any distinctive signs during the journey, such as the badges [DirectSoir editor's note: the badge "For a world better", initiative of French sportsmen]. They used blackmail.  One really had the impression of being manipulated for political and media ends. 
DirectSoir: What did it mean to you to carry the flame? 
It is an immense honour to have been asked to represent my country.  It is very symbolic and I was proud to be French. Moreover, there is an ethic which I totally support. 
DirectSoir: The IOC questions whether the world olympic flame relay should continue.  What in do you think? 
It would be sad to deprive the sportsmen of other countries of this honour.  Without being too simplistic, the sportsmen are there for the sport, and not for politics.