An architectural competition was launched in June 2011 by the , and the winning project was presented by the architectural firm Chabanne and Partners on 1 July 2012. Work began in early 2014 with a ceremony of the laying of the first stone on 16 February 2014. It was decided that the stadium would be named after , the former bronze medalist at the 1966 European Athletics Championships in the 400 meters hurdles, and former of French athletics.