Valladont set for fourth Games as French team named for home Olympics
The French selection commission has named its recurve teams for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on 27 June, following the third stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Antalya.
As host country, France has a full quota of three men and three women for the archery events this summer.
After the two recent European team champion titles, the decision was predictable and the six archers crowned in Essen in May were indeed confirmed.
Jean-Charles Valladont is set for his fourth Olympics – after Beijing 2008, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 – and makes the recurve men’s line-up alongside Thomas Chirault, an Olympian from Tokyo, and 17-year-old debutant Baptiste Addis.
Rio silver medallist Valladont shared “my satisfaction, my joy and my impatience” on his Facebook page following the announcement.
“I will give my best to have no regrets, individually and as a team with Baptiste Addis and Thomas Chirault, hoping to make this French Olympic team shine as bright as possible,” he added.
Lisa Barbelin, Amélie Cordeau and Caroline Lopez will be the French recurve women’s forces on show in Paris.
“I am very happy with this selection, but there is still everything to be done,” said Barbelin, who will compete in her second Games after Tokyo.
“I think we have a card to play and we are going to do everything to play it in the best possible way.”
Members of the French squad in 2024, Nicolas Bernardi and Victoria Sebastian will only serve as substitutes for their home Games.
The 2024 French Olympic team could be defined as a mix of youth (Addis, Cordeau), potential (Chirault, Lopez) and experience (Valladont, Barbelin).
The 20-year-old Lopez and 18-year-old Cordeau will make their debuts at the Olympics, as will Addis, the youngest of the team.
“The Games are a dream that you have when you’re a top-level athlete, and seeing it gradually become a reality is really pleasant,” Baptiste said.
“I can’t wait to be there, but there are a few days left to prepare as well as possible and do everything to get the gold medal.”
“I have confidence in my teammates and in myself, all that’s left is to give it all!”
A European Youth Champion in 2022, Amélie was also delighted with her selection.
“It will be an honour to represent France at the Games for the first time in my life,” she said. “I’m going to do everything I can to perform well and try to bring home one or more medals.”
Medals at their home Games – undoubtedly what the French archery federation also had in sights by recruiting a Korean coach two years ago.
French team for the 2024 Olympics
- Recurve men: Baptiste Addis, Thomas Chirault and Jean-Charles Valladont.
- Recuve women: Lisa Barbelin, Amélie Cordeau and Caroline Lopez.
