The battle to be standard bearer of the French delegation continues to rage. While the Olympic committee announced the criteria that candidates must meet to obtain this role during the opening ceremonycandidates continue to come forward.
This Tuesday, during a media day in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, Joris Daudet, the double BMX world champion, announced that he would like to take his compatriots to the Seine.
“ I gave my name, said the Frenchman, who should compete in his fourth Olympic Games in Paris. It would be good for our discipline. We are a less popular sport than others, like swimming or football, but we have still won many World Cups and world champion titles. We deserve too. The chances are tiny compared to other renowned athletes, we only get shown every four years, but we deserve it. »
In Tokyo, Joris Daudet had failed a few meters from the medal. While he was heading towards a third place, the Saintais fell in the last corner. His compatriots Sylvain André and Romain Mahieu had to settle for fourth and sixth places. A big disappointment for the French, which even pushed Joris Daudet to question the rest of his career.
A fifth Olympics in Los Angeles?
With the Olympics in his sights, however, he continued. Third in the last World Championships, behind Romain Mahieu and Arthur Pilard, the Habs will participate in the next edition, in Rock Hill, from May 12 to 18, alongside their podium companions, despite a fracture of the right collarbone five years ago. weeks in Australia. The young Jérémy Rencurel and Léo Garoyan will also be present, as will Sylvain André. On the women’s side, Axelle Étienne will aim for a first senior title.
This deadline should serve as a dress rehearsal. However, there will only be three French people on the new BMX track in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, deemed “super easy” this Tuesday by the athletes during their test. Joris Daudet, second in the world, should be there to aim for a first Olympic medal.
However, these fourth Olympic Games may not be the last, despite his 33 years. Having lived for ten years in the United States, the cyclist has not ruled out postponing his retirement for four years to try to be there in Los Angeles. For his part, Julien Sastre, the team coach, will stop the adventure after Paris. Before that, he announced that he would push his athlete’s candidacy to be flag bearer. “I am fully behind him, we are going to present him,” he declared.
