Track and field events have just started at the Tokyo Olympics.
Meetings awaited by the French delegation, which hopes to bring back some medals from Japan.
From Kevin Mayer to Renaud Lavillenie, via Mélina Robert-Michon, all hopes are allowed for the Tricolores.
After swimming, it's athletics' turn to take over for the final week of the Tokyo Olympics.
The French athletes will want to save the honor of the delegation which experienced disillusionment during the first week.
And the Habs can do well on the Tokyo slopes.
Kevin Mayer in the decathlon, Renaud Lavillenie in the pole vault, Mélina Robert-Michon in the discus throw… These names known to French supporters will set out to conquer a new Olympic medal.
The next generation will also grow, three years before the Paris 2024 Games.
They aim for the gold medal: Kevin Mayer and Renaud Lavillenie
If the Tokyo Games on the part of the French delegation are not flamboyant, some Tricolores can save the honor in the most beautiful way by bringing back an Olympic title.
This is first of all the goal of the decathlete
Kevin Mayer
, silver medalist in Rio in 2016 behind the American legend Ashton Eaton, and who has held the world record in the discipline since 2018.
Injured at the 2019 World Athletics Championships, the Montpellier driver had time to heal himself to get back in shape.
In 2021, he became European heptathlon champion, just to warm up a few months before the Games.
At 29, Kevin Mayer aspires to a first Olympic gold medal.
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The pole vaulter
Renaud Lavillenie
aspires to him to seek a second charm, but this time in gold, after the silver in Rio in 2016. The former world record holder is however in doubt, after injuring his left foot at the start. July. The French pole vaulter, however, wanted to reassure his fans on Twitter by saying he was ready to qualify for the final. The 34-year-old Clermontois has not said his last word despite the meteoric rise of Swede Armand Duplantis, new pole vault record holder and favorite in the Olympic competition.
Only a few hours left ⏰
Qualification tomorrow morning here in Tokyo, 9.40am (2.40am in France)
A lot of work has been done on my ankle in recent days to allow me to believe in it until the end.
Objective to be in the top 12 to go to the final. That's just pic.twitter.com/KyOwan554L
- Renaud LAVILLENIE (@airlavillenie) July 30, 2021
Mélina Robert-Michon, Alexandra Tavernier, Yohann Diniz ... of the Tricolores in good place for the medal
Among the best French chances, some French athletes claim the medal and could create the feat by getting on the first step. This would be the logical progression for
Mélina Robert-Michon
, 2nd in the discus throw in Rio in 2016, who is back at 41 for her sixth Olympic Games. She could be joined by
Alexandra Tavernier
, 27, who has already performed in the hammer throw. After an 11th place in 2016, the Haut-Savoyarde will try to grab the podium for its second participation in the Olympics.
As for the race, two Habs have all the qualities to bring back a medal.
Pascal Martinot-Lagarde
, specialist in the 110-meter hurdles, was not far from the podium in Rio by finishing in 4th place. Despite a recent injury, the 29-year-old Frenchman retains his medal chances. Just like
Pierre-Ambroise Bosse
, world champion in the 800 meters in 2017 to everyone's surprise, capable of brilliant shots. The runner will seek to bring back his first Olympic charm. On the other hand, the mission seems almost impossible for
Jimmy Vicaut
, figurehead of the French sprint at 29 years old but without real benchmarks before the Games.
And then how not to quote the old man
Yohann Diniz
who, at 43, competes in his last Games on the 50 km walk.
Also world champion in 2017, three times European champions, the charismatic walker has never won an Olympic medal despite his enormous potential.
He will want to end in the most beautiful way this summer, in a discipline which is also making its last appearance at the Olympic Games.
French young people on the lookout
These Tokyo Games will also be an opportunity to discover the next generation of French people in great rehearsal before the Paris Olympics in 2024. Among these French athletes, some have already shown themselves in Tokyo like
Alexis Phelut
, 23, who qualified for the 3,000-meter steeplechase final on Monday at 2.15pm French time. Another performance: that of
Rouguy Diallo
, 26, in the final of the triple jump on Sunday around 1:30 p.m.
Other French athletes are ready to point the tip of their noses. Among them, the long-distance runner
Jimmy Gressier
, three-time European cross-country champion, has good hopes at the age of 24 over the 5,000 meters. Young French athletes will want to shine in order to best prepare for their 2024 Olympic meeting.