A golden generation settling at the top of international badminton
French success is based on a generation of players who are both talented and well-supervised. For Alex Lanierthe youngest European champion in history at 20 years old, it is above all the professionalism and support around the players that make the difference.
“I think we had a good generation, we all have more or less good potential. There was a restructuring, we had more coaches, physios, data scientists…” he lists on the microphone of Olympics.com.
“So our young potential added to the fact of being very well supported, we managed to develop quite quickly, to perform and gain confidence. Afterwards it’s a virtuous circle, where there is one who performs, so it also makes the others want to progress in training and that carries everyone along. »
Toma Junior Popovfor his part, insists on the change in perception of France on the world circuit.
“France is starting to establish itself on the international scene and we are taken much more seriously, which is also why the matches are becoming more and more complicated,” he explains to us.
This analysis is particularly illustrated in Europe, since France is starting to compete with Denmark and establishing itself as a continental leader.
And it’s not the Danish number 1 and world number 3, Anders Antonsenwho will say the opposite.
“There are some good players in Europe, and France in particular is doing very well. Christo, Toma and Alex are doing a great job,” he notes.
“It’s very interesting, and it’s going to be fun to follow them over the next six or seven years.” They are even capable of lasting for another 10 years. France in general succeeds in producing great players, not only in men’s singles, but also in other disciplines. […] France is doing a really good job, so that’s very good. »
