French Athletes Shine at European Athletics Championships in Rome
The French athletics team experienced a phenomenal run at the European Athletics Championships held in Rome, securing multiple medals in various events. This success comes less than two months before the Paris Olympic Games, providing a confidence boost for the athletes.
Alexis Miellet (29 years old) and Djilali Bedrani (30 years old) headlined Monday's events by clinching a double in the 3,000m steeplechase. Miellet clocked an impressive 8:14.01, leading his compatriot Bedrani who finished with a time of 8:14.36. This victory marks the first European Championship medals for both athletes and the French team's seventh and eighth medals at the event. Notably, Miellet's performance was incredible as it was only his fourth and fifth steeplechase races.
"We've worked really hard for this," said Miellet, who recently shifted his focus from the 1,500m and cross-country events to the steeplechase. He recognized the opportunity in the steeplechase two years ago and started focusing on it last year. His father also supported him by analyzing European reports, which showed potential success in this discipline.
Bedrani, a world finalist in 2019 and European finalist in 2022, finally secured his first international podium. He emphasized the significance of this win, stating, "It’s not what we were aiming for but the gold stays at home, we do honor to the 3,000 m steeplechase which is a private preserve in France."
More Wins for France
Sunday's events were no less exciting. Alice Finot won the gold medal in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase, a victory that saw some controversy. She was initially disqualified for stepping off the track but was later reinstated after a successful appeal from the French team. Finally, she was confirmed as the European champion with a finish time of 9:16.22.
Adding to the medal tally, Gabriel Tual clinched gold in the 800m, clocking a time of 1:44.87. This win added to his impressive track record, elevating his status ahead of the Paris Olympic Games. "We felt a certain pressure before the start, everyone was tense, but I tried to stay focused," Tual shared.
Other notable performances included Rose Loga who won bronze in the hammer throw with a personal best of 72.68m. Similarly, Ilionis Guillaume and Agathe Guillemot secured bronze medals in the triple jump and 1,500m, respectively. Guillaume's last attempt jump of 14.43m and Guillemot's strong finish of 4:05.69 highlighted their competitive spirit.
This strong showing by the French athletes at the European Championships sets a promising tone for their participation in the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.
- Alexis Miellet's transition to the steeplechase has been nothing short of miraculous. Having only begun competing in the event last month, his rapid improvement is exemplified by his recent European Championship victory.
- Djilali Bedrani's international success comes after nearly two decades in athletics, marking this win as a significant career milestone. His persistence and dedication are evident in his journey to this first international podium.
- Alice Finot's resilience and determination were tested when she faced disqualification in her race. Her subsequent reinstatement underscored the importance of fair play and the competitive spirit of the championships.
- Gabriel Tual's 800m victory is a testament to his hard work and perseverance, particularly as he prepares for the Tokyo Olympics. His focus on maintaining his performance under pressure was key to his success.
- Rose Loga's personal best in the hammer throw, while not meeting the Olympic minimums, highlights her potential and growing prowess in the sport.
- Ilionis Guillaume's surprise bronze in the triple jump and Agathe Guillemot's strategic last effort in the 1,500m underline the depth of talent in the French athletics team.
