Since Friday, July 23, the Tokyo Olympic Games have begun. Out of the 378 French athletes, 31 came from the Alpes Maritimes department. Unfortunately, several of them have already left the competition. However, some are still present and have chances to bring home a medal. Today, we introduce them to you:
Samir Aït-Saïd: Rings
The 32-year-old gymnast from the Antibes club represents one of the greatest hopes for a medal from the Azure Coast. Flag bearer for the French team alongside judoka Clarisse Agbegnenou, he has qualified for the rings final, which will take place on August 2 at 10 AM. Absent from the London and Rio games due to injury, Samir Aït-Said will surely be eager for revenge and to win his first Olympic medal after winning 5 medals in his career at the European and World Championships. If he were to stand on the podium, [it would be one of the beautiful stories of these games->https://www.nicepremium.fr/sports,2/jo-2021-la-belle-histoire-de-l-antibois-samir-ait-said,31047.html .
Rouguy Diallo: Triple Jump
The Nice-born athlete, a specialist in the triple jump, qualified easily for the final this Friday, July 30, with a single jump of 14.29, placing her in 6th position in the contest.
Never medaled, the French-Guinean trained by Teddy Tamgho (France’s triple jump record holder) will face the Venezuelan Yulimar Rojas, holder of the indoor world record (15.43). Her final is scheduled for Sunday, August 1, at 1:15 PM.
Jean Quiquampoix: 25m Pistol
At 25 years old, Jean Quiquampoix might be in the shape of his life, winning the last two competitions he participated in (the European Championships and the World Cup). A silver medalist at the last Rio games, he will attempt on Sunday, August 1, at 1:30 AM (French time) to win the gold medal and bring it back home to Antibes.
Mourad Aliev: Boxing +90kg
Born to a Russian father who arrived in France at the age of 6, Mourad Aliev (Theagene club from Nice) might be the one to lift French boxing’s spirits in these games. While all the French boxers have been eliminated except for Sofiane Oumiha, silver medalist in Rio, Mourad impressed in his round of 16 in the +90kg category against the Tajik, Siyovush Zukhurov. He will face the British Frazer Clarke on Sunday in the quarter-finals, whom he already defeated in the Olympic qualification tournament final last month.
Laurent and Kevin Tillie: Volleyball
Laurent Tillie, coach of the French team, who played professionally for Cannes and Nice, will attempt to lead the French team, where his son Kevin (born in Cagnes-sur-Mer) plays, to the podium. It will not be an easy task for the French, who will have to defeat the undefeated Russians so far and hope for Argentina’s defeat against the United States.
