Some within the French sporting world had long questioned the decision to award the prestigious Olympics contract in 2020 to Le Coq, which reported losses of around 10 million euros in the first half of 2023.
In 2022, it lost around four million euros, after 10 million euros the year before.
The value of its shares has roughly halved over the last four years in a decline accelerated by the Covid-19 crisis and high energy prices caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"There's been panic for the last few weeks. Everyone is looking for a Plan B to avoid a disaster," an official in the French Olympic movement told AFP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. "They're very worried."
"We didn't understand when they won the contract," another official said, again on condition of anonymity. "Everyone knew when they got it that they weren't in great shape."
Le Coq Sportif returned as supplier to the French athletics team for the first time in 50 years at the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022.
The company's heyday was in the 1950s to 1970s, helping forge a retro image that appeals to fans of its footwear and clothing.
It manufactured the first yellow jerseys for the Tour de France, made the shirts for the legendary Ajax football team of the 1970s, as well as the Argentinian team starring Diego Maradona that won the 1986 World Cup.
After enduring decades of financial problems from the 1990s, Beausire's takeover in 2005 offered the group a new lease of life.
It renewed its links with the Tour de France and signed deals to supply the French top-flight football club Saint-Etienne and the national rugby team.
In 2022, it began work on extending the factory at its historic headquarters in Romilly-sur-Seine where the outfits for the French Olympic and Paralympic teams are being made, according to the Airesis annual report.
Although some sports such as judo and cycling have received their kit, an official in a French sports federation that was still waiting said the delay was frustrating.
"It's an additional logistical issue to manage at the last-minute and honestly we've got other things to worry about at this time," he said on condition of anonymity.
Source: AFP
