This is one of the few good news of a Black Friday for French sport. Qualified for the Tokyo Olympics at the end of the final qualifying tournament in June in Monaco, the Bleues of rugby sevens ended their undefeated group stage on Friday against Canada (31-0) before moving on to a success against China in the quarterfinals (24-10). "We would be delighted to be the ray of sunshine," launches French coach David Courteix. It is exceptional for us to come out of our federation, to belong to a multidisciplinary team and to share these moments with other athletes. But what can really put balm in the heart of this delegation, that will be our result tomorrow
(Editor's note: Saturday)
. "
No triumphalism on the horizon after this victory against the Asians - at the end of a day when heavy rains disrupted the schedule - which jostled them at the start of the match before cracking under the physical impact of the French women.
That faces calm, determined and already turned towards the last day of competition on Saturday.
On the menu: a semi-final against Great Britain at 11:30 am (4:30 am in France) before a possible final in the early evening.
None are considering another scenario.
"I don't want to be satisfied with that"
"I do not want to be satisfied with that, launches Caroline Drouin, whose nice kick for Séraphine Okemba put the Blue in the right direction in the first period.
Me, I want us to go to the end and bring back the most beautiful medals.
"" We have been thinking about this moment for a year and a half, insists Captain Fanny Horta.
We want to make history.
"
Out in quarters for the baptism of rugby sevens at the Rio Games five years ago, the French prepared their Olympic return to Fujiyoshida, where the XV of France had lapped before attacking the World Cup in 2019 A desire for a quiet common time before joining the Olympic village at the start of the week.
“We are living this adventure, everything is going well between us and it is felt on the ground, describes Caroline Drouin.
But if we want everything to go well until the end, we have to go and get this medal.
The first stage will be against the British, opponents they know by heart who had blocked their way of a first possibility of Olympic qualification in 2019. Before a possible final against New Zealand or Fiji, including victory surprise at the Australian Olympic champions in the quarterfinal excited the ambitions of the contenders.
“We have been preparing for this event for years,” says David Courteix.
It is a group which has matured, and which has a lot of experience and qualities.
And maybe even soon an Olympic gold medal.
