2023-10-05 10:47:46
They didn’t expect it, and enjoyed their feat all the more. This Wednesday, French gymnasts won the bronze medal in the team competition at the World Championships in Antwerp, a historic result since France had not won a world medal in this event since 1950. A few seconds after the confirmation of their third instead, their joy was equal to their feat. A few tears even ran down the cheeks of these young athletes.
“There, we weren’t expecting anything”
Only eighth last year at the Worlds in Liverpool, the French were far from being favorites. And that’s what ultimately made them strong. “This is the first time that we are approaching a world team final without expectations,” said Coline Devillard. Before, we knew we could do something, but we had to make the perfect match. There, we expected nothing, we qualified for the Games, it was the pinnacle. We arrived relaxed, we did what we had to do. »
The Blues’ explosion of joy upon discovering the result. Photo Icon sport PictureAlliance / Icon Sport
Third before the last apparatus, the French women completed the work on the balance beam perfectly, achieving a flawless performance. “I just wanted to pass my beam, I couldn’t finish with a failed trick. First for me, because I had failed a little on my balance beam in qualifying, and then, I knew that by succeeding, I brought a good mark,” explained Mélanie De Jesus dos Santos. The French were the only ones not to suffer any falls during the final. ” Now that’s class ! », reacted Lorette Charpy.
On the podium, the joy was still at its peak. The Blues were also hesitant when getting on the box. “Since we’re not used to it, we missed our entrance! », laughed Mélanie De Jesus dos Santos, who won her first world medal there, after four European titles.
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