Older people should be prescribed free sport, says French minister

Older people should be prescribed sports by their GP and be able to “go to a club and let off steam” for free, the French sports minister has said.

Amélie Oudéa-Castéra made the comment as part of a talk at the Demain Le Sport festival, yesterday (Thursday, September 22), organised by FranceInfo, with France Télévisions and L'Equipe, held at Paris’ Maison de la Radio et de la Musique.

She said: “It’s worth it at all ages of life. The Haute autorité de Santé has shown that for older people, it’s essential to strengthen your body to roll back the loss of autonomy. We have to act now on all of this.”

It comes after Health Minister François Braun announced the introduction of free medical check-ups for everyone in France at age 25, 45, and 65.

Read more: France to offer free medical check-ups at age 25, 45 and 65

Ms Oudéa-Castéra, who is also the minister of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, said: “There is a need for well-being. The Olympics set an example through the athletes; a dynamic, an unprecedented momentum. We have to get there!”

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