Like a letter in the post or a CNOSF press release! The appeal of June 22 will remain historic for Breton badminton, which will see two of its players compete for the first time at the Olympic Games, this summer in Tokyo (July 23 – August 8).
If the French Federation (FFBaD) had indicated on June 8 the list of selectable, the world rankings can no longer move with the end of the race for Olympic qualification following the successive cancellation of the last two tournaments (Malaysia and Singapore ), it is now official.
Qi: “I am proud to go to the Olympics for France”
Currently in full rehabilitation / preparation following a small operation on the left knee at the end of April, the badiste of Bad’Club Rostrenent, Xuefei Qi (29 years old, No. 41 worldwide) showed a huge smile at the official announcement. “I am of course very happy, it’s a great moment. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, even if, until a few years ago, I never imagined going to the Olympics one day, and even less for France. I am really proud of it. “
Until the drawing of lots for the paintings, on July 8, and take-off for Tokyo on July 16, the native of Nanjing (China), naturalized French in July 2019, will work hard at Insep to find the level which allowed him to qualify in 22nd position in the Olympic race.
Thom Gicquel sets no limits
For Thom Gicquel and his partner Delphine Delrue, rather scheduled for the Paris Games in 2024, things accelerated from May 2019 and the launch of the Olympic qualification. “If I had been told at the time that we would be in Tokyo, I would not necessarily have believed it, assures the 22-year-old Bretillian. Since then, we have caught up with a lot of pairs that we are now beating ”.
“The Olympics for a sport like badminton represent a lot,” explains Val-d’Oisienne from the US Ezanville-Ecouen club, Delphine Delrue (also 22). It’s the biggest competition for badists, a showcase where we can perform and where people can see us a little more than usual. We are very happy to have managed to qualify in Tokyo. “
Where the Breton licensed at Red Star Mulhouse and his partner, world number 10, will land without the slightest apprehension. “We never set a limit, we tell ourselves that anything is possible,” assures Thom Gicquel, delighted to finally compete in front of the public in one of the most anticipated disciplines during the Japanese fortnight.
And three para-badists to follow
Qi, Gicquel and Delrue will, as expected, be accompanied by Cristolien Brice Leverdez (world No. 36 in singles) – who has origins near Saint-Malo… -, who will play his third Games.
And the good news for the Breton bad will not stop there since Faustine Noël (Rennes EC), Lénaïg Morin (Pays de Fougères) and the Bretillian now licensed in Hautes-Pyrénées, David Toupé, will be in the first of the discipline. at the Paralympic Games (August 24 – September 5).
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