There wasn't really any surprise. The French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF) revealed, on Friday March 29, the names of the first fencers who will make up the French delegation to the Paris Olympic Games (July 26-August 11).
The sabreuse Manon Apithy-Brunet and the foil fencer Enzo Lefort are among the shooters who will compete this summer under the dome of the Grand Palais. In addition to the individual bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, world number 1 Sara Balzer is also one of the three starters, alongside Cécilia Berder. Or the trio of Olympic vice-champions in women's team saber in Japan.
On the men's foil side, there is also a bonus for medalists: all the Olympic team champions are retained, except the retired Erwann Le Péchoux, who became a coach in the Japanese archipelago.
The composition of the women's foil, latest revealed
The names of those selected in the four other weapons – men’s sabre, women’s foil and the two epee groups – remain to be revealed. With an unknown woman: will Ysaora Thibus be one of them? The 2022 foil world champion was provisionally suspended due to a positive test in mid-January for an anabolic agent, ostarine.
Since then, the leader of the Bleues has tried to prove, as part of an accelerated procedure, that it is a "contamination by bodily fluids", the only chance for her to obtain clemency from the International Federation fencing and to see the Games.
The composition of the women's foil will be the last revealed. It must be announced, according to the French Federation, during the final consultative commission for the CNOSF Olympic selections, on July 5.
The French delegation can field three shooters per weapon in individual tournaments, thanks to its full performance in the team qualification process. The Blues are in the top 4 in the world in each of the six weapons. France is the only nation in this situation.
The selections:
Sara Balzer, Manon Brunet-Apithy and Cécilia Berder.
Substitute: Sarah-Camille Noutcha.
Enzo Lefort, Maxime Pauty and Julien Mertine.
Substitute: Maximilien Chastanet.
