Around thirty athletes from the Alpes-Maritimes were in contention for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. After two weeks of competition, here’s a recap of our athletes’ performances.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games conclude this evening, marking the end of two weeks of intense competition. The closing ceremony, scheduled at the Stade de France at 9:00 PM, will crown this event. With 64 medals in total (16 gold, 26 silver, 22 bronze), Team France shines on the international stage, ranking 5th in the final medal standings. Moreover, among these successes, the athletes from the Alpes-Maritimes played a significant role. In fact, about thirty of them were in contention, proudly representing the Côte d’Azur. So, here is a detailed recap of their remarkable performances.
Athletics
First of all, Téo Andant, a Nice-based athlete, excelled with the French team in the 4×400 meters mixed relay. In the qualifiers, alongside Muhammad Abdallah Kounta, Louise Maraval, and Amandine Brossier, they set a new French record of 3:10.60. In the final, without Téo Andant, who was replaced by Fabrisio Saïdy, the French team finished fifth. However, a disqualification for obstruction dashed their hopes. On the other hand, in the men’s 4×400 meters relay, Andant showed his talent again. After a strong performance, the team hoped for a podium finish, but a fall by Saïdy following a jostle from the South African athlete ruined everything, relegating them to the last place.
From one relay to another. Mehba-Mickaël Zézé from Cannes carried the French team in the final of the 4×100 meters. After a good start to the relay, the French team ended up only 6th. The gold medal went to Canada, ahead of South Africa and Great Britain.
From one athlete to another. Makenson Gletty. Unfortunately, he underperformed in this event and his hopes of a medal quickly vanished after finishing the first day in 10th position. Ultimately, he finished only 12th with a total of 8,309 points, 487 points behind the winner, Norwegian Markus Rooth.
Finally, Alessia Zarbo in the final of the 10,000 meters. Unfortunately, after the 8,000 meters, the French athlete had to abandon the race due to a collapse on the track. The athlete from Antibes was evacuated on a stretcher in a concerning state but regained consciousness after leaving the track.
Swimming
Moreover, several of our athletes stood out in the pool at Paris La Défense Arena.
Firstly, our flag bearer at the opening ceremony, Florent Manaudou. He won a bronze medal in the 50-meter freestyle, and Manaudou, who trains in Antibes, secured another bronze medal in the 4×100 meters medley relay.
Additionally, Lilou Ressencourt and the mixed 4x100m medley relay team finished in the most disappointing position: 4th. Unfortunately, just a chocolate medal for the athlete from Nice.
Finally, in her last Games, swimmer Charlotte Bonnet was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 200m medley. However, she couldn’t do better in the final of the women’s 4×100 meters medley relay, finishing in 6th place.
Diving
Still in the pools, Emily Hallifax and Jade Gillet finished in last place in a synchronized high diving final completely dominated by the Chinese pair.
Volleyball
One of our beautiful moments from these Games: the men’s volleyball team winning a second consecutive title. The team led by Kévin Tillie swept Poland in the final, clinching a historic second consecutive title. Powered by a peak performance from Earvin Ngapeth, the French team gave a volleyball lesson to the Polish team. 3 sets to zero for our French team (25/19; 25/20; 25/23).
Tennis
In tennis, Nice-based Diane Parry lost to the world number one, Polish player, Iga Swiatek. In doubles, alongside Caroline Garcia, her competition also ended abruptly. The French duo was defeated by the Italian pair Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini, who went on to win the tournament and the gold medal.
Football
The player from Grasse, Eugénie le Sommer, and her teammates stumbled once again in the quarter-finals of a major international competition. Final score: 1-0 defeat to the Brazilians, who took the silver medal. The gold went to the Americans.
Rowing
Elodie Ravera Scaramozzino, surprisingly composed since the qualifiers, was disappointing in the final. Along with her teammate, Emma Lunatti, the athlete from Nice finished fifth in the double sculls rowing event.
Shooting
Romain Aufrère failed to qualify for the final in the 50-meter three-position rifle shooting event, finishing only in 15th place.
In another discipline, another shooter from the Côte d’Azur. Defending Olympic champion in the 25-meter rapid-fire pistol, Jean Quiquampoix from Antibes could not qualify for the final.
Beach Volleyball
In beach volleyball, former Cannes player Youssef Krou didn’t progress past the group stage with his partner Gauthier Rhat. They finished last in their group.
Equestrian
In equestrian events, Alexandre Ayache‘s journey ended in the qualification round, finishing in the sixth position.
Gymnastics
Samir Aït Saïd, cursed during the last three editions of the Olympic Games, stumbled again in Paris. On the rings, just as in Tokyo, the athlete from Antibes finished just off the podium in 4th place, 0.1 point short of bronze.
Sailing
In sailing, Dutch athlete Marit Bouwmeester won her second title, her fourth Olympic medal in ILCA 6. The athlete from Grasse, Louise Cervera, finished 10th.
Water Polo
In water polo, the male team led by Hugo Fontani and the female team led by Tiziana Raspo failed to qualify for the quarter-finals. Both of our French teams finished 5th in their group.
Climbing
On her side, no medal for Oriane Bertone in climbing. She failed in the final, finishing eighth and last in this final. Slovenian Janja Garnbret won gold.
Modern Pentathlon
Furthermore, no medal in the men’s modern pentathlon. Indeed, the athlete from Cannes, Valentin Prades, failed to secure a medal, finishing 16th. Egyptian Ahmed Elgendy was crowned Olympic champion.
Weightlifting
Moreover, Marie-Josèphe Fègue made it to the final in the under-71 kg category. After finishing 6th in the snatch event, she ultimately placed 5th in this final with a total score of 243 kg.
