Before the Paris Games, Sasha Zhoya and Auvergne were already in Olympic form, in Angers

The images of Angers 2024 are still jostling each other. Sasha Zhoya’s raised hand and her incredible chase in the 110 hurdles series, Renaud Lavillenie’s non-qualification and then his humorous declaration of non-retirement in front of the main stand, Marjorie Veyssière’s powerful 400m finishes, young Daphné Dornic’s headlong races in the 1,500m…

Because Auvergne shone at all levels this weekend, on the stage of the last French athletics event before the Paris Games.

In the forefront

In the foreground: the financial report. On the track of the Albi Municipal Stadium, last year, Auvergne collected 3 medals (gold for Chaussinand and Zhoya, bronze for Terrasse). At the Mikulak stadium in Angers: 5! Two titles, those decidedly reserved for Yann Chaussinand and Sasha Zhoya, the hammer thrower for the second consecutive time, the hurdler, the third.

premium Story of the weekend when many of the best French athletes played for their Olympic selection

Plus a silver trinket, from the pole vault thanks to the Envoliste Anthony Ammirati, place to the Elite which can also earn the hope the ticket for the Olympic Games in the international ranking. Finally, two bronze awards for two other Olympic candidates, Renaud Lavillenie and Marjorie Veyssière.

Marjorie Veyssière. The joy of effort rewarded after the 400m final. Photo Ludovic Aurégan

The multi-medal pole vaulter certainly missed the minimum bar (5.82 m), as did steeplechase athlete Alexis Phelut, faced with a challenge that was far too high. But the other candidates seized the moment. Total confirmation for the “priority” athlete Zhoya and for the January qualifier, Chaussinand. Confirmation expected for the relay runner Veyssière who scored many points in the collective race. And for the new Clermontois Ammirati, selection therefore awaiting the final rankings that World Athletics will make official tomorrow.

Backstage

The fact remains that Auvergne offers a second inventory. Where there are 4 personal records, all in races, accompanied on two occasions by a best French performance. Alongside the senior steeplechase Baptiste Coudert, who put a “big second” to his best time, and the walker Célia Vidalinc, the juniors from Stade Margot Dajoux, on the steeplechase, and Daphné Dornic, on 1,500 m, established in the concert of the Elite, the best U20 times of the year. That is for both the minima at the World Championships in Lima in Peru (August 27 to 31).

premium Sasha Zhoya French champion for the 3rd time in a row: spectacle, gold and projects in Angers

Daphné Dornic, the youngest in the 1,500m, made a strong impression. Photo Ludovic Aurégan

Lining up near the promises of youth, particularly a Dornic with surprising mastery, 3 best performances of the season, the 4H specialist Jordan Terrasse, the walker Come Martin and the shot putter Laury Battet. Auvergne developments to conclude with the realism of Lempdais Clément Maisonneuve, 5th in the javelin.

Francis Laporte