A Module for Optimising Sports Practice (MOPS) created by a soldier

It was in 2002 that Raphaël, a soldier, had the idea of creating a functional box containing all the elements of a mobile modular sports structure. As a sports instructor in the French Air Force, he was responsible for maintaining the physical condition of all air base personnel who are often seconded on missions to different places in France or abroad. To meet the training needs of his colleagues, he created a portable, upgradeable sports training station: the MOPS.

Maximum engagement in less than three minutes

This equipment was developed for military forces to organize cross-training sessions on operation. The aim of this comprehensive physical activity is to perform several successive cardio and muscle-strengthening exercises with or without recovery time. These sequences generate maximum commitment over a short period of time and work all the muscles in the body. This short intense format encourages you to push yourself beyond your limits and give it your all.

The course

The aim of the path of champions is to carry out the tasks of the eight workshops as quickly as possible, in accordance with the rules established for each workshop:

Workshop 1: bench press

• Raise a 30 kg barbell for men and a 15 kg barbell for women 15 times with the elbows locked at the top and bring it back down in contact with the chest each time. Any movement not performed will induce a 3-second penalty.

Workshop 2: punching bag

• Hit the side of the bag 25 times with the right or left foot. Any movement not performed will induce a 3-second penalty.

Workshop 3:

• Perform 5 burpees: one with a tackle on the ground and one with a vertical jump, taking your feet way off the ground and clapping your hands above your head. Any movement not performed will induce a 3-second penalty.

Workshop 4:

• Run 5 round trips, touching a cup on the ground with your hand. Any movement not performed will induce a 3-second penalty.

Workshop 5:

• Perform 5 pull-ups for men and 2 for women with the elbows locked in the starting position and bringing the chin above the bar. Any movement not performed will induce a 3-second penalty.

Workshop 6:

• Perform 5 round trips by walking or running with hand weights of 16 kilos for men and 12 kilos for women. Any movement not performed will induce a 3-second penalty.

Workshop 7:

• Perform 25 waves with ropes, making them touch the ground and take off completely. Any movement not performed will induce a 3-second penalty.

Workshop 8:

• Shoot 5 rounds from a gun, standing 5 metres from the target, and make the 5 green signals appear on the target. The shooting and loading techniques are up to the shooter. The event timer only stops when all 5 green lights are lit or when the shooter has spent more than 50 seconds on this workshop.

A medal ceremony in Paris

Each day of competition will result in two rankings. At the end of each day's competition, the jury composed of the sports instructors supervising the activity, will choose the local winner in the "Women's" nd "Men's" categories. The winners of the national challenge will be picked from among the winners of the departmental events. They will then be invited to Paris in the autumn of 2024 for a medal ceremony that will take place in Invalides’ courtyard. A high-level defence athlete, member of the Army of Champions who took part in the 2024 Olympic Games will be present.

Taking part in this sporting challenge

All young men and women between the ages of 18 and 26 who have no contraindications may take part in the path of champions free of charge. They can only take part once.

The armed forces will be present in all the towns in mainland France, excluding Corsica, which will close the daily leg of the Olympic torch relay.