Bytagand the publication "FDJ and its corporate foundation are committed to the renovation of the legendary Jacques Anquetil velodrome "La Cipale""
La Française des Jeux and its corporate foundation are committed to the renovation of the Jacques Anquetil “La Cipale” velodrome, as part of their sponsorship of the Fondation du patrimoine. During a visit organized in the presence of Charles Lantieri, President of the FDJ corporate foundation and Deputy CEO of the FDJ group, Pierre Rabadan, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of sport, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Seine, and Alexandre Giuglaris, CEO of the Fondation du patrimoine, the FDJ group and its foundation announced their support for the restoration of this legendary velodrome located in the Bois de Vincennes in Paris, with a financial commitment of 1,2 million euros.
Source: CP
Inaugurated in 1896, the velodrome has occupied a major place in the history of national and international cycling. La Cipale hosted the track cycling events of the 1900 and 1924 Olympic Games, as well as football and rugby. It was also the preferred venue for the finishes of the Tour de France between 1968 and 1974. Marc Madiot, manager of the Groupama-FDJ cycling team, used the velodrome track when he was a professional cyclist. In the early 2000s, as manager, he also accompanied the riders of the La Française des Jeux cycling team there.
The Jacques Anquetil Velodrome has unique architectural elements, such as its "Eiffel" style stands, whose metal frames were built by the famous architect Jean Camille Formigé in 1909. The restoration of the stands and the rehabilitation of the stands will allow the velodrome to host new sports competitions as well as cultural events in the Bois de Vincennes.
FDJ and its Corporate Foundation, patrons of the Heritage Foundation
The FDJ group and its corporate foundation are patrons of the Fondation du patrimoine and, as such, support specific projects to contribute to the preservation of French heritage in danger.
Since 2018, the sponsorship actions of FDJ and its Corporate Foundation have contributed more than €4 million to the projects of the Fondation du patrimoine. Like the funding of FDJ and its Foundation dedicated to the renovation project of the YMCA Paris site, which received €1,2 million in support, the restoration of the Jacques Anquetil velodrome is part of the Group's desire to work towards the preservation of remarkable sporting heritage. The project will promote the development of sport for all through numerous sporting events organized each year as well as the implementation of weekly track competitions (disabled sports events and the women's cycling event "La Cipalienne").
"La Cipale" will also provide a training area for the tenants of the lnsep and will host the headquarters of associations and sports clubs. This support will also allow the implementation of social and professional integration systems deployed on the restoration site. The FDJ Foundation thus wishes to support the action of associations specialized in the professional integration of vulnerable groups (young RSA beneficiaries, minimum social welfare recipients, long-term job seekers, etc.) by promoting their socialization and their return to employment by supporting professional projects.
The Mission Patrimoine games offer
Furthermore, since 2018, more than 180 million euros have been collected thanks to the Mission Patrimoine game offer to support national heritage in danger. Among the more than 950 projects selected since 2018 by the Mission Patrimoine, more than 620 sites have already been saved or are about to be: 340 projects have been completed and 280 projects are in progress.
For Stéphane Pallez, President and CEO of the FDJ group: “ We are very pleased to be committed today to the restoration of La Cipale, which combines our commitment to the renovation of endangered heritage, alongside the Fondation du patrimoine, with our continued investment in cycling and more generally in sporting practice at all levels. »
For Guillaume Poitrinal, President of the Heritage Foundation: “ The restoration project of the La Cipale site is emblematic of the actions of the Fondation du patrimoine: to revive a historic site for the benefit of residents, by integrating reintegration clauses. We are delighted to be able to count once again on the loyal patronage of the FDJ group and its Foundation to support French heritage and encourage its transmission to future generations. »
For Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris: “ The signing of this sponsorship agreement is excellent news! It embodies a strong ambition, that of extending the momentum of this Olympic summer by supporting sports practice in Paris, thanks to the renovation of its emblematic facilities. I am delighted with this major restoration, made possible thanks to our collaboration with La Française des Jeux and the Fondation du patrimoine. In the years to come, La Cipale will be able to host cycling races, for all, but also cultural events, further strengthening the dialogue between sport and culture. »
La Cipale was (and still is a bit) the home ground of the rugby union club: Paris13, which hosted all the major teams from the south as well as international matches: Papua New Guinea, CIS (former USSR).