Judoka Clarisse Agbegnenou and gymnast Samir Aït Saïd were elected flag bearers of the France team by their peers for the Tokyo Olympics (July 23-August 8), an unprecedented man-woman duo, they announced on France 2 Monday.
The two athletes, elected by “ambassadors” of the Olympic federations, will wear the colors of France and will succeed Teddy Riner, flag bearer at the Rio Olympics in 2016. For the Paralympic Games, Sandrine Martinet (judo) and Stéphane Houdet ( tennis) were nominated by a public vote.
“This is happiness”
“It’s good for me,” said Clarisse Abgegnenou, already five-time world champion in -63 kg but eager to go for the Olympic gold she lacks. “We are going to look for it with pleasure and a smile”, said the 2016 Olympic vice-champion. “Standard bearer, it is only happiness and more!”, Added Samir Aït Saïd, also in search of ‘a first Olympic title and whose spectacular injury suffered in Rio, a double tibia-fibula fracture of the left leg, had marked the spirits.
Other candidates to carry the French flag included heavyweights: swimmer Florent Manaudou and pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie, both crowned Olympic champions in London in 2012, or discus thrower Mélina Robert-Michon, silver medalist in Rio and already five Olympic editions on the clock.
As an entertainment author with over 7 years of experience, I bring a diverse background to my writing. I have a proven track record in the journalism industry. My expertise extends beyond writing, as I have experience producing video content for websites and social media platforms, offering a well-rounded perspective on the entertainment world
