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Tuesday, 08 April 2008 |
Robin Hicks meets Jessica Harrison, a triathlon champion with dual-nationality and her sights set on Beijing
Thirty-year-old athlete, Jessica Harrison hopes to represent France in the triathlon in Beijing this summer. Ranked 14th in the world, she is 95% certain to represent France with her flatmate Carole Peon in August. “No, we do not talk about the sport all the time,” she says emphatically.
The sun and parents brought her to France from Sheffield in 1999. She then moved to Montpellier and joined the Poissy Triathlon club based in Paris. “They are terrific,” she enthuses, “arranging sponsorship, coaching and of course payments.”
She became a French citizen recently so she could represent the country, partly, she admits candidly, because she thought it might be easier to get into the French team. “I have always wanted to be in the Olympics - since I was a girl,” she says.
Are there differences between the two countries’ attitudes to athletes? “Well,” Jess explains, “lottery funding means they throw money at you if you are successful – but you don’t seem to matter much as
a person.”
In France it is much more holistic: she could expect a post in the Army (not keen, being a pacifist) or the SNCF, in exchange for helping with their fitness programme. It is a way of supporting the athletes. Hard as the sport is, she thinks she has one more Olympic chance in her career and intends to compete in the London Olympics, which will probably be her last.
“I think running in London will really be that bit more special and my parents will be able to watch me – a great bonus.”
What about the pain? “Oh it normally hurts – but much more in the training than at a race,” Jess says matter-of-factly. “Everything hurts: swimming, your intestines are shaken about in the running but cycling is the most painful,” she smiles.
Is she looking forward to China? Well, not that much as she has already raced in two World Cup events there.
Which national anthem stirs her the most? “Well, I am not that sort of patriot or I suppose I would never have come to France.” Once on the podium any anthem is good to hear – but she admits that to her surprise she felt a small tear when ‘La Marseillaise’ was once played.
Chances of winning Gold – not good: “The Portuguese women are formidable – I should be happy to be in the first five and if everything goes right, I might get a Bronze or even a Silver.” I couldn’t see if she was crossing her fingers because she was eating chocolate. An odd diet perhaps? “No it is great for magnesium – if it
is dark.”
Then another surprise: “I once heard Seb Cowe saying that athletes were the laziest people on earth and always take the lift not the stairs – that about sums me up – if I am not training I am resting!”
If you want to follow Jess’s progress, see http://jessica-harrison.onlinetri.com
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Tuesday, 08 April 2008 |
Sexworkers took to the streets of the capital demanding the same rights as other workers and a relaxation of the law. French News talks to an active militant.
How many businesses would survive if they weren’t allowed to announce, much less publicise, their existence? Very few, yet this is exactly what faces Nathalie Bordes-Prevost and many other prostitutes, or sex workers, in France who, she believes, perform a valuable service to society.
Nathalie was one of about a hundred men and women to gather in Paris on Saturday, March 22 and march from the Place de Pigalle to the Centre Pompidou. The ‘Pute Pride’ march, organised by the militant group Les Putes, demanded the repeal of the 2003 loi Sarkozy which makes soliciting an offence liable to two months’ imprisonment and a E3,750 fine.
As well as the repeal of this law, the sex workers claimed recognition and legalisation of their profession, basic human rights and entitlement to social security and unemployment benefit. And they demanded that society should stop viewing them as delinquents or victims.
The march was colourful, including masked sex workers disguised as medieval nuns, with red banners and umbrellas carried by the demonstrators. The main banner had the slogan “Rendez-nous nos trottoirs” and placards carried the message “Racolage passif = repression actif”. The procession was also in fine voice, chanting slogans such as “Sarkozy c’est la guerre” and “Ni coupables ni victimes, fières d’être putes”, expressing their defiance of the government and pride in their profession.
Nathalie Bordes-Prevos is 39 and works as a prostitute in Périgueux, Dordogne. She has been in the business since she was a teenager. Prostitution is not illegal in France, but Nathalie feels strongly about the recent crippling law and is trying to overcome the hypocrisy and secrecy which she believes faces her profession.
“There is plenty of evidence that society needs women like us,” she told French News, with a male client standing behind her, unashamed, through the entire interview. “We help marriages.” Three quarters of her clients are married men. Many of them come to her to deal with their sexual problems and, claims Nathalie, tell her later that the experience helped keep their marriage together.
“The law has to differentiate between girls who might be forced into the profession against their will and other women for whom this is a choice. I do not speak for the former. I am not a victim, this is my choice,” she says.
“Prostitution was already part of my life at a young age. I’m also feignante [lazy]”, explained Nathalie, who earns up to E80 per meeting. “Why would I work all the time for someone else when I can earn more money working very few hours for myself?”
She has set up an association, DEP (droit d’exercer des prostituées), to lobby the government and gather support. A full-page portrait was dedicated to her in the left-wing newspaper ‘Liberation’ last year.
And if the President did put the matter to his public? “There is profound hypocrisy in France,” believes Nathalie. “I think about 50% would support me. The other half would feel confused by the stereotype of a miniskirted, drug addicted, victimised prostitute and let this affect their decision.”
If her efforts fail, Nathalie will consider relocating to the less restrictive climes of other European countries. But in the meantime, motherly duties call and she’s off to pick up her youngest son from school. “I keep my work and my family life very separate,” she insists. “Most of the time I am a mother, then there is the working side. I do not mix
the two.” RM & SZ
The law has to differentiate between girls who might be forced into the profession against their will and other women for whom this is a choice
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Wednesday, 02 April 2008 |
"CITIZENS’ UPDATE" French News April 2008
Sign your car insurance slip...."
This was our April Fool's Day hoax. Then we heard that it might have been fact. Now we're sure that it is a hoax.
Apologies to any readers who have been unsettled in any way.
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