Half-distance runner Benjamin Robert, the 2023 European indoor vice-champion, expressed his disappointment after failing to reach the semi-finals of the 800m at the Paris Olympic Games, held at the Stade de France. He apologized on behalf of France, acknowledging the hard reality of not achieving his goal. Robert finished second in his repechage series with a time of 1′45″83, behind Italian athlete Simone Barontoni, who clocked in at 1′45″56. Despite his efforts and feeling in great shape leading up to the Games, Robert's journey ended prematurely, leading him to reflect on the experience and the support from his team. As he prepares to move forward, he humorously mentioned treating himself to a pizza, indicating a desire to enjoy life despite the setback. Robert remains optimistic about the rest of the season, emphasizing that there are more competitions ahead and expressing his commitment to continue improving his performance.
In a dramatic turn of events, the men's handball quarterfinals saw Germany triumph over France in a nail-biting match that left the home crowd in despair. France, a powerhouse in handball with a rich history of Olympic success, was expected to advance, having won multiple gold medals in previous Games. The match was tightly contested, with France leading 29-27 with just seconds remaining. However, Germany's Uscins Renars scored from a penalty, bringing the score to 28-29. In a stunning finish, Renars managed to tie the game at the buzzer, forcing it into extra time. The back-and-forth battle continued, but ultimately, Renars scored again with just five seconds left, sealing Germany's victory at 35-34 and eliminating France from medal contention. The loss marked a significant upset in the tournament and a disappointing end to France's aspirations on home soil.
