Paris 2024: fundraising campaign launched to fund Burkinabè athletes

Why this initiative for Burkinabè athletes? Bernard Zoungrana: This fundraiser is based on the fact that our five athletes who have qualified on merit have reached a level where they can bring us back medals. This is the moment for all Burkinabè to feel involved. For us, this initiative is also a way of showing our support and sharing in the results our athletes will bring us in a few weeks' time. Why didn't you launch the campaign a little earlier? Each athlete, for their part, was already trying to find a few partners who could back them. We know the financial efforts Burkinabè are making given the current situation in our country. We didn't want to bother the Burkinabè public, but we're a bit up against it because the athletes need everyone's help. And that is what finally pushed us to launch the campaign. What do you really expect from the Burkinabè public? That everyone lets their heart speak. It is a patriotic surge. We all know our country is not often painted in flattering colours, but we are fortunate that daughters and sons of the country are truly at the top of their disciplines. Some of these athletes are in the top 10, others in the top 20. That means they all have medal chances. So a bit of encouragement from the public will not go amiss. How much do you hope to raise? The target is 30,000 euros. How can people be sure the money goes directly to those concerned? The pot can be checked on the platform. When you contribute, your name appears along with the amount you gave, and there is a display showing in real time when people contribute, how much has been raised and how much is still missing to reach the 30,000 euros. Once the full amount is reached, the platform will stop working. Of the five athletes who qualified on the strength of performances judged to meet the qualifying standards to represent the Land of Upright People at the Paris 2024 Olympics, three disciplines have secured places: athletics, thanks to Hugues Fabrice Zango and Marthe Yasmine Koala; para sport, with Rahinatou Moné; and taekwondo, thanks to Fayçal Sawadogo and Ibrahim Maïga.