They were (logically) absent from the major French badminton gathering, this Thursday, June 13 on the occasion of the Media Day preceding the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. However, Ronan Labar and Lucas Corvée were quickly discussed in discussions between leaders and coaches, then in front of the microphones.
Qualified for the Olympic Games in mid-April, at the end of a year-long race, suspenseful until the end, the French pair learned a few days after their ouster from the big Parisian meeting, due to an error in calculating points on the part of the International Federation, concerning a tournament which took place in May 2023.
Since then, the two men have appealed to the International Federation, in order to establish the damage suffered and obtain a wild card for the Olympic Games, alongside the other tricolor pair Tomi Junior Popov – Christo Popov, finally qualified.
“A mishap? A nice euphemism »
On June 13, the president of the French Federation Yohan Penel spoke on the subject. By disclosing two pieces of information: the appeal of the two players was unsuccessful with the IOC and Ronan Labar and Lucas Corvée have since decided to attack the French Federation, which had communicated a list of athletes to the CNOSF, validated by this last, according to the criteria established in advance, with a view to the race for Olympic qualification.
“A mishap? It’s a nice euphemism about an unacceptable and intolerable error on the part of the International Federation which thinks it can do anything, began the president of the French Federation. We might as well tell you that our relations are not good with the BWF (the International Federation). We are a Federation that is particularly committed on a global scale, we host more than ten international competitions per year on French soil. We have some great representatives who are starting to make an impact, if we see their fan communities. Today’s handling of this matter is disrespectful to humans and the Federation. »
Yohan Penel continued by taking stock of the situation. “ Today, where are we? The BWF refused our request, the IOC also refused our request (to grant a wild card to the pair Labar – Corvée). There are two approaches, one is sporting and is carried out by the athletes. They will communicate on the subject and today, they are also attacking the Federation, he reveals. For our part, we sent a list of athletes to the CNOSF, which makes the decision regarding those qualified for the Games. We published rules and we would have put ourselves in danger if we had not respected the rules laid down and which everyone knew. Athletes do what they think is best. Now, there is another aspect which is financial. The damage is significant for them and at some point, the BWF must take its responsibilities. »
“They don’t care.”
“Everyone can make mistakes. On the other hand, it is important to assume them and today, there is no outstretched hand, nothing, regrets Yohan Penel. We welcome the world in a month, they don’t care. We’re hosting the world championships in a year, they don’t care. It is important to maintain the balance of power in the sporting aspect and we have always been alongside our athletes. But there comes a time when we have to be lucid about the way things are going. Even if until July 6, we will allow ourselves to dream. »
READ ALSO. 2024 Olympic Games: for badistas Lucas Corvée and Ronan Labar, the dream of a lifetime disappears
The appeal against the Federation filed by the two players arouses incomprehension at the federal level, but Yohan Penel wants to be understanding, in a situation caused by a gross error and a much too late communication from the International Federation. “For them, it’s the dream of a lifetime and when that’s the case, we want to achieve things, whatever the means. This will not prevent us from supporting them in other initiatives that they may take. I clearly distinguish their athletic dream from what concerns the visibility and image of badminton in France. Today, we are fighting for values and the BWF has insulted the values of sport and Olympism. »
2024-06-13 13:53:07
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