During the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics men’s basketball tournament, Team France had a huge upset over Team Germany.
By winning the game, the French national team will have a chance to play for a gold medal. They will face the winner of the United States and Serbia in the other semifinal match.
During the game, while it is currently unclear when it occured, France’s Victor Wembanyama suffered a cut on his neck that made him bleed. The big man then spoke to reporters after the contest, and he shared such an amazing quote (evoking the French national anthem) about the injury.
France’s Victor Wembanyama bleeding from the neck after semifinal win over Germany: “In our national anthem, we talk about blood, too. We’re willing to spill blood on the court. It’s no big deal. If it allows us to win gold, I’m all for it.” pic.twitter.com/f7O9pW6dXd
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 8, 2024
Here is what he said (via Washington Post):
“In our national anthem, we talk about blood, too. We’re willing to spill blood on the court. It’s no big deal. If it allows us to win gold, I’m all for it.”
Wembanyama said that his injury reminded him about the French national anthem (“La Marseillaise”) and for good reason.
The song includes the line “L’étendard sanglant est levé” which translates to “the bloody banner is raised” in English.
It also includes “Égorger vos fils et vos compagnes!” which means “cut the throats of your sons and your companions!” when translated.
