Alexis and Félix Lebrun, full of titles and love! The two Montpellier brothers, who won 3 medals at the Paris Olympics, were ranked world No. 1 in doubles at the end of November in Japan. They have just entered the Top 50 of French people's favorite personalities, to the great joy of their parents.
The essentials of the day: our exclusive selection
Every day, our editorial team reserves the best regional news for you. A selection just for you, to stay in touch with your regions.
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the newsletter “The essentials of the day: our exclusive selection”. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy
New distinction for summer darlings: Alexis and Félix Lebrun make their debutfor the first time, in the Top 50 of favorite personalities of the Frenchpublished this January 5 in the Journal du Dimanche!
The two young Montpellier residents, after a successful year, are almost in the middle of the table, in 31st place, between the actor Alain Chabat and the footballer Antoine Griezman.
“We are super happy and super proud” says their father Stéphane, contacted by telephone. “For my generation and that of my wife, entering this Top 50 is something! We've been watching this Top of favorite personalities for years…Obviously, we know that it's the Olympics effect and the media coverage, but it's very pleasant” recognizes Stéphane Lebrun.
The JDD gave the floor to Frédéric Dabi, the head of Ifop, to decipher this new annual ranking. According to him, these two young people from Montpellier embody positive values with which the French easily identify: “nice little guys, surrounded by their family, who illustrate simplicity, closeness and the importance of remaining united with their loved ones”says Frédéric Dabi, director of the Ifop Opinion Center.
A position that delights the father of these boys aged 19 and 21:
It’s nice! This is how we see ourselves, how we try and how we want to be. It's a story of brothers that touched the hearts of the French, we are very happy.
Stéphane Lebrun, father of Alexis and Félix Lebrun
For the moment, this growing media coverage is not too heavy for this united family: “We went to eat this Sunday lunchtime in a restaurant in the Odysséum district of Montpellier and we were not disturbed throughout the meal. At the end, 4 to 5 people came, with kind words. The boys made themselves stopping every 20 steps, but it's always pleasant, with extremely caring people. Afterwards, you have to be careful with notoriety and not do anything…” warns the father.
The first major sporting event of the year is January 17 with their club: Montpellier hosts Dusseldorf, one of the largest table tennis clubs, for the quarter-final of the Champions League.
Then, the two Lebrun brothers will fly to Singapore where they must compete in three weeks, individually, in the Smash, the grand slam of Ping-Pong which brings together the 64 best singles players.
