transforming the test during the Paris 2024 Games, the delicate next objective of French medalists

The French team won 16 medals at the European Championships, a very encouraging result less than two months before the Games. But how many athletes will they manage to confirm in the Olympic events?

France Télévisions – Sports Editorial

The Blues of athletics had not experienced such a celebration for ten years and the exceptional Swiss vintage of 26 medals (including 10 titles) gleaned in Zurich. In the majestic Foro Italico park, the French team got their hands on 16 European charms (four gold, five silver and seven bronze), which places them second in the medal rankings, behind the Italians (24). Less than two months before the start of the Olympic Games (August 1 to 11), the French clan signed its third best record in history.

Two years ago, the Blues returned with light luggage from Germany with only nine European medals and, above all, no titles. In the Italian capital, smiles have returned to the ranks of the French Athletics Federation. “Athletes can puff out their chests but keep in mind that there is still a step to take for the Olympic Games. We get chills when it happens like that, so we won’t shy away from our pleasure. And then afterwards, we’ll go back to work.” enjoyed high performance director Romain Barras, before the start of the final day of competition, Wednesday June 12.

This return to the forefront of the European scene of French athletics did not surprise observers in the field. “We are in an Olympic year. There are performances that are emerging everywhere, quite simply because all French people have this dream of participating in the Games at home.. It was obvious that we were going to see the effects in Rome.” analyzes Maryse Ewanjé-Epée, consultant for France Télévisions, who expected around twenty charms.

Long perceived as the savior of the French team, Kevin Mayer boasted about the results of his comrades, he who defended it even at its lowest. “It’s the rule of waves. There is always the trough of the wave where everyone worries. But I believe that you always need a trough to take advantage when it reaches its ascension. The ascension has place totally at the right time”, greeted the decathlete at the end of his competition.

“There are negative vortices and there are positive vortices. I believe that here we have just started a fairly positive vortex which will continue until Paris.”

Kevin Mayer, on the results of the French team

in mixed zone

After years of scarcity – only one medal in Tokyo in 2021 (silver for Kevin Mayer), only one at the Worlds in Eugene in 2022 (gold for Kevin Mayer), only one again at the 2023 Worlds in Budapest (the silver of the men’s collective in the 4×400 m) -, can the Blues also hope to improve their record on the international scene?

Some members of the French team proved on the Italian blue tartan that they had the right stuff, Cyréna Samba-Mayela in the lead, with her 12.31 in the 100m hurdles, a world-class time (best world performance of the season). With a record but imperfect decathlon for one, and 80% for the other, Makenson Gletty and Kevin Mayer both have the potential to reach the podium in Paris. The enthusiasm of the heptathlete Auriana. Lazraq-Khlass, who was able to do well in formidable European competition, also offers a glimpse of possibilities. In risky disciplines like combined events, it is not forbidden to hope.

If her time continues to go down, Alice Finot can also claim to play at the front in the 3,000 m steeplechase, she who left her usual strategy to lead within one lap of the finish. Those absent from Rome, like the hurdlers in the 110m hurdles, also represent a real opportunity at world level. And if he manages to excel like in Hungary last summer, pole vaulter Thibaut Collet (5th in Rome) can also be one of the contenders.

“If we obtain qFour or five medals would already be fantastic. But we can also have a little more because we are playing at home and the athletes will transcend themselves.” believes Maryse Ewanjé-Epée. “We see it here, the Italians are producing magnificent results. We have been working with the teams for a long time to be able to use this ‘home advantage’. confirms Romain Barras, while emphasizing that in seven weeks, nothing will be “revolutionized”.

“I am happy that the athletes will be able to set off on an Olympic campaign with certainty and full of confidence. Those who have missed out a little will also be able to learn the lessons a little less than two months before the Games to question themselves and know what they’re going to press.”

Romain Barras, FFA performance director

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However, for some of the medalists from the Roman week, the remaining seven weeks will surely not be enough to make up the seconds and centimeters behind the world competition between now and the Olympics. “Bmany performances will not be enough and I think the athletes themselves know this, slips Stéphane Diagana, also consultant for France Télévisions. There is still work to be done. Maybe it won’t be for this year, but for later.”

So when the young Louise Maraval, 22 years old, shines in each of her outings to raise her record to 54″23 over 400 m hurdles, the best in the world run under 53 and even 52 seconds. She should slap his mark to put a charm around his neck The very recent European champion in the 3,000 m steeplechase assured for his part at the end of his race that he wanted to stay. “lucid” as for his level in a discipline that he is just discovering. Rather than aiming for the podium, Dijon native Alexis Miellet preferred to set the goal of a finalist place, while allowing himself the opportunity to seize an opportunity.

“Sif France was able to have the European Championships in Paris in 2020 [annulés à cause de la pandémie de Covid-19]this would probably have brought about a little earlier this generation which is arriving now and which may, despite everything, still be a little tender in preparing for the 2024 Olympics.” believes Maryse Ewanjé-Epée. Failing to be able to panic the medal counter this summer, part of the French delegation has set a date for the future in Italy.