Europe 1 with AFP 10:38 p.m., February 22, 2023

The French Athletics Federation has unveiled the list of athletes who will represent the tricolor colors at the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul, from March 2 to 5.

Kevin Mayer and Cyréna Samba-Mayela will be the leaders of the tricolors after having been uncertain for some time.

Decathlete Kevin Mayer, double world champion, and "hurdler" Cyrena Samba-Mayela, indoor world champion in 2022, will take the group of 39 French athletes selected for the European indoor championships in Istanbul (2- March 5), the French Athletics Federation announced on Wednesday.

The participation of Mayer, who to this day remains the main medal hope for French athletics for the 2024 Paris Olympics, has long been uncertain.

But the athlete (31), in trouble for several weeks with an Achilles tendon, was reassured last weekend during the French championships in Aubière (Puy-de-Dôme).

He will be able to line up for the heptathlon events in Istanbul.

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Last minute decision

"We talked a lot with Kevin Mayer. He said several times that he was wondering about the advisability of making the trip. He did not want to take the place of another 'combinard'", explains Romain Barras, director of high performance within the national technical direction, in the press release published by the Federation.

"He decided on Monday because he feels his form is improving and thinks he can put in a big performance," he added.

Cyrena Samba-Mayela will also be traveling to Istanbul.

World indoor champion in the 60m hurdles in 2022 in Belgrade, Samba-Mayela (22) only finished second in the recent French championships, in 7.98.

But she signed Wednesday evening in Madrid her best performance of the season in 7.84.

Laeticia Bapté (24), French champion in Aubière, and Judy Chalcou (22), bronze medalist, will accompany her.

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Kwaou-Mathey present

For men, Just Kwaou-Mathey (23), new blue boss in the 60m hurdles, will go to Istanbul with Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (31), European vice-champion in the 110m hurdles in 2022, and Dimitri Bascou (35 years old).

"The general philosophy of this selection is based on the desire to send athletes capable of entering the top 12 of their event", added Romain Barras.

"This level of requirement is combined with the context of a last European-level competition before the Olympic Games (of Paris-2024)."