Global ecological issues are seen as a counterweight to economic and technological progress. The Games are hyper- technological, spectacular and elitist. Brands are omnipresent, athletes have become influencers and competitions sell dreams like never before. But inequalities have exploded, and many citizens are left behind in this race for progress.
Arya and Tom stare into each other's eyes, long and hard. He tells himself that she's beautiful, that the crown of Azure sparkling stones he gave her suits her perfectly and that it will bring her luck tonight on the salt track. As for Arya, she's counting the minutes. That's it, the red light is flashing. She concludes with a few kind words, turns off her camera and removes her crown. Virtual encounters with fans are her least favorite part of being an athlete, but she owes it to them: they're the reason she's here. Fortunately, most fans are content to buy affordable items, such as new jerseys, extra time for their favorite player or obstacles on the opponents' track. Only the crown of stones grants the right to a match. It costs €8,300. For Tom, it's money well spent, and don't let anyone hold it against him!
Like many French people, he lives in an unpretentious apartment in an ordinary dormitory town. In Paris, the omnipresence of conveyor belts at least connects residents to a number of exciting leisure activities. But at home, in Verdun, most shops have long since closed and public transport is no longer available. So he prefers brief moments of escape to his daily comforts, which have become a luxury for many. As soon as he can, this click worker dons a virtual reality helmet and connects to the channel of the only professional sport still in existence today: the Circuit. It's his great pleasure. It's 8pm. Epiceryy, a delivery robot, drops off a pizza on his doorstep: ultra-processed with his health in mind, it's perfectly adapted to his nutritional needs. Perfect, just in time to see Arya play and cheer her on, slice of Margherita in hand. Like him, there are millions connected to the server. The Circuit was born of a technological feat capable of levitating players by means of an electromagnetic field.
Equipped with suits, they set off on tracks worthy of the Formula 1 of yesteryear and attempt to complete a large number of challenges within a given time: acrobatic figures, speed spikes, collecting virtual objects projected into the stadium and outwitting opposing traps. The discipline has democratized at breakneck speed for two reasons: firstly, because organizers have begun to involve spectators in the strategy of the sport and the lives of the athletes, through an immersive, gamified approach. Secondly, because it has enabled athletes like Arya, a leg amputee, to take part in the same competitions as everyone else, with the same budget and the same fervor.
This final of the 2048 Games is on everyone's lips. It was in the heart of Uyuni, the planet's largest salt reservoir, that this sixth track was created. Impressive in size and ultra-connected, it offers the promise of an eminently captivating event, while also fulfilling its role as a carbon sink. Arya, accustomed to the sandy and watery tracks of Qatar and Monaco, is apprehensive about this new course. She arrived in Bolivia by plane this morning and is expected in Malaysia tomorrow. The evening promises to be intense.
In her dressing room, hostilities have already begun. On screen, she rigorously follows the latest fan news, adapting her outfit and strategy accordingly. Like 30,000 other people, Micka10 has just bought the "Trench Burderri" item. She is therefore committed to wearing it. LolaM_, for her part, gives her an extra 3 seconds of running time. Arya compares her bonuses with those received by her opponents to predict the ranking. Some, like Ali000, don't buy anything but are quick to criticize: he thinks the Circuit has little to do with sport, that Arya is no athlete and that it was better before. He calls her an “athluencer”. Global Énergie, her sponsor, has taught her to look the other way. Of course, the strategy of influence counts for a lot. But the pace is fast, the championships are intense and the routine is demanding: a tight schedule around the world, pressure, meetings and a hyper-adapted diet, designed in the laboratory and weighed to the gram. Now that's sport.
Arya turns off the lights and connects her dressing room to the server. At home, Tom finds himself facing her, immersed in a virtual reproduction that's truer than life. She's not really there, unlike this morning, but the details are such that it's hard not to believe. "Hello my Aryaloves, a huge thank you for being here tonight to support me in this last race! I discovered the salt track this morning: I'm telling you, it's going to be a great evening. The setting is magnificent, the loops are crazy and the course particularly immersive, thanks to the hundred or so cameras on board. Before I go, I'd like to thank “Global Energy” one last time. As you know, it's my sponsor, my trainer and the co-organizer of the Circuit. No sport without sponsors! I'm also highlighting them because they're doing an incredible job in carbon offsetting. Thanks to tonight's event, the Morvan forest is being replenished with fir trees! For every item purchased, a tree is planted!" Hearts are pouring in, and so are fir tree emoji.
Arya must go. She puts on her jumpsuit, adjusts the final details of her evening dress, including Tom's crown, and heads for the Circuit. The carpets conveyor belts transport her at top speed through the Olympic Village, a brand-new district in the middle of the desert. She thinks she'd like to offer a virtual visit to her supporters, most of whom will never take a plane. It's the last straw, she thinks, when you consider that the number of flights has exploded in recent years. But Arya has no time to wallow in self-pity, the gates of the Circuit are right in front of her. She must now concentrate on the race.
At home, Tom applauds loudly. So does his neighbor. The soundproofing was not up to standard. A choice had to be made between installing the virtual immersion system and the acoustic work. When he sees his player enter the stadium, he has no regrets. Around Arya, the stands are empty, but in Tom's headset, millions of other viewers are represented alongside her. The shouts of encouragement are recorded, assembled and broadcast in real time on the Circuit, so that Arya can hear them. It's amazing!
Arya lies down on her starting line and levitates, just a few centimeters above the ground. It's EasyFlight's player who takes off first, boosted by items from his supporters. Seconds after him, Arya and the others are propelled forward. Tom is in the front row. Slumped on his sofa, he shouts "look, it's my crown!". His headphones transcribe his words and share them in the stream of comments. 875 likes. He's ecstatic. He's forgotten all about his pizza.
In front of her eyes, Arya sprints, Arya leaps, Arya dives through a digital hoop. Her suit carries her like a bird. The athlete's sensations are incredible. Tom thinks he feels them too. Suddenly, an opposing fan buys a Lamarge "brick wall" item. The wall is virtually projected onto the Circuit, and Arya has no time to avoid it. Her electromagnetism is extinguished. She stops dead in her tracks and falls to the ground. The echo of booing echoes through the stadium.
Tom hadn't planned to take part again this evening, but too bad, the hour is too serious: he offers Arya an extra 6 seconds to allow her to catch up. The player restarts, performs three pirouettes to the cheers of her fans, and goes from strength to strength. Thanks to Tom, Arya finishes first.
His champion has won, he has won! He was moved to tears and stayed connected for most of the night, replaying the sensations of the race. Sport has never been so beautiful. Arya, on the other hand, has long been asleep in her soundproof bedroom.
Text written with the pen of Jeanne Pelisson and scenarios illustrated with the pencil of Solen Selleslagh.