The growing notoriety of Alexis and Félix Lebrun quickly pushed those around them to set up a protective bubble around them.
Nuggets of French table tennis, Alexis and Félix Lebrun had a memorable year in 2024. Crazy adventure and revelation to the general public during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, an individual bronze medal for the youngest, a few months later, a European champion title for the eldest and the apotheosis in doubles at the end of November , with a title at the WTT Finals in Fukuoka which gave the two brothers the number one place in the world rankings. Enough to acquire notoriety which had to be responded to.
Because going from anonymity to fame is not easy. To stay focused on what they had to do, the Lebrun brothers were quickly protected, as the eldest, Alexis, recounted in an interview with RMC. “We started talking about ourselves more and more in view of the Games. We felt it happening. We also quickly surrounded ourselves to protect ourselves from that. Our mother was able to stop working, she made herself available to help and manage the entire media and sponsor side. » And Alexis Lebrun also mentions the French coach. “Nathanaël Molin also helped us a lot. »
Not always nice to be recognized
To try to create a bubble of protection and learn how to protect themselves in the face of different pressures and external demands, the Lebrun brothers left nothing to chance. “We had a lot of discussions with a lot of people. It allowed us to experience it quite simply. Obviously, after the Games, it exploded again. We took advantage of it. We also let ourselves enjoy these moments. […] We really took advantage of this moment, we celebrated (…). »
But Alexis Lebrun remained lucid: “I don’t think anyone likes to be recognized in the street. It's special and it feels weird. Now we have to think a little more before doing certain things. We're still lucky enough not to be too well known either. So if you're careful, if you dress a little differently and if you're alone, you're less recognized.
[…] It's just happiness and it's quite simple to live with. »
