French Climbers Compete for Qualification at Paris Olympic Games

Will the list of French qualifiers for the Paris Olympic Games grow? This Sunday, Bassa Mawem could in any case feel less alone among the climbing qualifiers. Because the French elite of the combined bouldering and difficulty event gathered from Thursday in Laval, during the European qualifying tournament to try to win the grail. In total, there are eight Blues who can claim this ticket for Paris 2024. But not all of them will climb on the Bourget climbing site.

The competition begins this Thursday, with the women’s qualifications, and will end on Sunday. Only two tickets to Paris are at stake: one for each winner (woman and man). The task therefore promises to be delicate, especially since there are numerous candidates. Among the women, however, Oriane Bertone seems to be the big favorite. Fourth in the world overall, the Réunionnaise has already not gone far from qualifying during the World Championships in Berne last August, finishing in sixth place in the combined. But only the three members of the podium confirmed their participation in the Olympic Games.

Optimism remains, however, for the young 19-year-old climber, one of three Europeans to have reached the world final. Especially since her two competitors, the Slovenian Olympic champion Janja Garnbret and the Austrian Jessica Pilz, obtained their qualification by finishing in the first two places in this competition and will therefore not be in Mayenne. Only the French women Zélia Allez (19 years old), Manon Hily (29 years old) and Hélène Janicot (29 years old) seem to be able to tickle her, but all of them still leave with a certain delay.

Schalck, Jenft and Mawem face two monsters of the discipline

For men, danger could come from abroad. Because the reigning Olympic champion Alberto Ginés Lopez and the four-time world champion Adam Ondra will be present and will hope to spoil the party in France. Sixth in Tokyo, the Czech has revenge to take with the Olympic Games. The surprising Toby Roberts, only 18 years old and fifth in the Combined World Championships in Bern, could also do well.

But the French have arguments. At 19 years old, Mejdi Schalck seems to be the leader of this French delegation. Vice-world bouldering champion, the Ile-de-France native failed to reach the final in the combined event. But his hard work on the difficult test should allow him to aim for victory during this TQO. In the event of a failure or small error, Paul Jenft (20 years old) is on the lookout. It was the Chambérian who ejected Mejdi Schalck from the world final at the cost of a magnificent semi-final. In Laval, he could tickle his compatriot once again, just like Mickaël Mawem (33), world bouldering champion.

Whatever the result, the Olympic adventure will not end there for the French. Because this European qualifying tournament will not be the last chance to qualify in climbing. Between March and June 2024, a series of qualifying events will be contested and will create a ranking. The first ten women and the first ten men will fly to Paris. But the French would no doubt welcome the opportunity to prepare calmly until this incredible deadline.

2023-10-27 17:27:01
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