The blow fell on the French pair in mid-April, when the International Badminton Federation updated the rankings. In particular, she corrected a calculation error which she had committed almost a year ago. The French Federation has been working from heaven and earth to obtain, exceptionally, the Olympic qualification of the two French badistas.
During the European Championships in mid-April, Alençonnais Lucas Corvée and Ronan Labar are over the moon. They have just won their ticket to the Olympics. It all came crashing down a week later. “The international federation has updated its rankings, and in particular a calculation error which dated from May 2023“, explains Lucas. As a result, the other French pair (made up of brothers Christo and Toma Junior Popov) pass in front of them. And they see their Olympic dream disappear. “We were completely stunned, the Games are every athlete’s dream, and even more so in a sport like ours, it really is THE competition.“
The problem is that the calculation error conditioned their entire Olympic preparation. “We could have done more competitions to earn more points, do other tournaments. Planning during the year preceding the games means not only managing fatigue and effort over a year, it is also measuring yourself against other athletes.“Lucas Corvée considers that this dramatic error compromised their chances and believes he suffered harm.
Damage that the International Federation must repair, estimates Yohan Penel, the president of the French Federation. So there is no question for him of demanding the cancellation of all Olympic qualifications, but at least one special measure. “In an exceptional situation, an exceptional measure. The table normally provides for 16 qualified pairs, but there could be 17. It’s possible at the world championships, why not at the Olympics? In the name of the values of sport and Olympism.“
The French Federation has officially made the request in writing to the International Federation, which is holding its general meeting next weekend in China. Hoping for a gesture that would give the French clan back its Olympic dream. A petition was also launched on the change.org website to support the two French people.
2024-04-25 16:18:37
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