Sports often take a backseat in Paris, where the focus is usually on food, fashion, and the arts. Victor Wembanyama aims to change that during the Paris Olympics, hoping to become France’s first homegrown sports star to break through in this cultural landscape.
Standing tall at 7 feet 4 inches, the French-born phenom gained attention during his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA, enhancing his global reputation. Now 20 years old, he returns home as the standout figure in France’s Olympic team.
Wembanyama will be a major figure this month, not only for his skills on the basketball court but also for his charisma, which appeals to both avid sports fans and casual French citizens alike.
“I sometimes underestimate how much fans support me. I try not to focus too much on that,” Wembanyama recently shared. “But when I returned to France a few weeks ago, I felt a different level of excitement from the public.”
His ascent in the NBA, the world’s top basketball league, had been eagerly awaited, reminiscent of French soccer star Kylian Mbappé, who rose to fame at 18, helping France win the 2018 World Cup and becoming a top player in club soccer.
Following Mbappé’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid and his decision not to participate in the Olympics, all eyes have turned to Wembanyama. He has always held the Olympic stage in high esteem.
“I’ve been preparing for them since I first watched the Olympics on TV,” Wembanyama said. “It was always a dream and as I grew up, it became a goal. It’s a truly special event in sports. I think it’s the most important sporting event in the world.”
Due to scheduling conflicts, Wembanyama will miss the highly anticipated Opening Ceremony on Friday. France’s basketball team starts group play the next day in Lille, which is over an hour away by train.
Rest will be crucial for Wembanyama, as he is a key player in France’s bid to challenge the United States’ streak of four consecutive gold medals in basketball.
Interestingly, the U.S. team, featuring players Wembanyama competed against in his rookie NBA season, will practice on Wemby’s childhood court in Levallois-Perret, a suburb of Paris. This underscores Wemby’s impact on the Paris Games.
Benjamin Moubèche, a correspondent for France-based REVERSE who moved to San Antonio to cover Wembanyama’s NBA debut, noted that while Wembanyama competes for attention with established French athletes like judo star Teddy Riner and emerging talents like Léon Marchand in swimming, “no athlete resonates across generations quite like Victor Wembanyama.”
However, what sets Wembanyama apart from other French sports stars is his deep appreciation for the cultural hub where he grew up.
After earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors with the Spurs, one of his first priorities was to model for the French luxury brand Louis Vuitton. He also served as an ambassador during a Vogue fashion show at Paris Fashion Week last month.
“I felt a different kind of pressure, but it was positive pressure. My first game with the Spurs was more intense than walking the runway at Place Vendome,” he remarked.
“While I enjoy participating in non-sports events like that, it’s not the same euphoric pleasure as basketball. Basketball is truly my passion. It’s what I live for.”
Regardless of how this upcoming month may impact his personal life, Wembanyama remains focused on success on the basketball court.
“I don’t follow news about myself, and I’m not active on social media,” he added. “The attention around me doesn’t bother me. I try to focus on the positives. Winning championships is what I aspire to enjoy.”
