Things are better for the Blues!
In the aftermath of a disappointing Friday to say the least, the French clan regains color.
After a mixed record in the individual races, the French triathletes won bronze in the mixed relay.
Two women's groups, rugby sevens and saber, qualified for their respective finals and provided France with a fifteenth and sixteenth medal.
Despite everything, we will note some disappointments, especially in athletics with the elimination in qualifying of Mélina Robert-Michon.
Here's everything you missed out on that night in Tokyo.
First Olympic medal for the French triathlon
We had to stay up late (or very early!) This Saturday morning (12:30 am), to follow the first start in the history of the mixed relay triathlon event at the Olympic Games.
Three-time world champions in the discipline, the Blues - Léonie Périault, Dorian Coninx, Cassandre Beaugrand and Vincent Luis - were among the favorites of this race, alongside Great Britain, the United States and Australia.
For a long time in the chasing group, around 5th place, the Blues gradually returned to the race, in particular thanks to a rapid swimming and a solid run by Cassandre Beaugrand on the 3rd relay.
Vincent Luis, the last torchbearer, tried everything for everything while performing a big number on the bike to get on the Briton Alex Yee.
Lighter on the run, Luis finally crossed the finish line in 3rd position, behind Alex Yee and the American Morgan Pearson.
🥰🥉 Tony Estanguet presents bronze medals to French triathletes!
🤩 What a great moment for this French team, for the first time in its history on an Olympic podium # Tokyo2020 #JeuxOlympiques
Follow the Olympics live ▶ https://t.co/Tki3Gsq4BI pic.twitter.com/UUek4A24VZ
- France tv sport (@francetvsport) July 31, 2021
A great collective reward which comes to console the Blues, who apart from Périault, 5th, came out disappointed with their individual event.
Charline Picon in silver
Gold medalist in Rio, Charline Picon almost did it again in Tokyo, by winning the Medal Race.
But that's not enough to beat China's Lu, who wins gold.
The Bleues of rugby sevens will play for gold
Medal guaranteed for the French women's rugby sevens team!
Les Bleues continued their clear course (after three wins in three matches in the group stage and a clear success in the quarter-finals) by dominating Great Britain in the semi-final of the Olympic tournament (26-19).
Anne-Cécile Ciofani, decisive since the start of the tournament, scored another double.
The sabers in the final
Fencing continues its harvest of medals.
Two days after the silver won by the foil players, the sabers qualified for the final of their team tournament by beating Italy, 45-39.
They are guaranteed to win, at a minimum, the silver medal.
In the final, the Blue will meet the Russia of Sofia Pozdniakova and Sofya Velikaya, respectively gold and silver medalists in the individual event.
Start of the meeting scheduled for 12:30 pm!
🤺🤩 It's done!
The French women's saber team dominates Italy 45-38 and qualifies for the final: it will be at 12:30 p.m. against the Russian Olympic Committee # Tokyo2020 #Olympic
Games Follow the Olympics live ▶ https://t.co/ Tki3Gsq4BI pic.twitter.com/aSYNVgHhbQ
- France tv sport (@francetvsport) July 31, 2021
Manaudou to save French swimming
Still without medals, the Blues of swimming keep one last hope and his name is Florent Manaudou.
The member of the Cercle des Nageurs de Marseille won his semi-final in 21 ″ 53, his best time since his return to competition.
In the final, he will find one of the stars of the Tokyo aquatic center, the American Caleb Dressel, big favorite.
🇫🇷 Florent Manaudou is in good shape.
The French qualified for the 50m final by winning his half and setting his fastest time.
🔝The 2012 Olympic champion is ready for a new medal.
Follow the Olympics live ▶ https://t.co/Tki3Gsq4BI pic.twitter.com/l1B8y1RMi5
- France tv sport (@francetvsport) July 31, 2021
On the other hand, it is over for Maxime Grousset, 12th time in 21 ″ 87, and for Mélanie Hénique and Marie Wattel over the same distance.
They finished 11th (24 ″ 67) and 14th (24 ″ 76) respectively in the semi-finals, dominated by Australian Emma McKeon.
Sad record for athletics
Disappointments followed one after another for the French athletics team, for its second day of competition.
Starting with Mélina Robert-Michon.
For her sixth Olympic Games and four years after her silver medal in Rio, the discobolus took 13th place in qualifying with a throw of 60.88m and missed the final by one rank.
Over 100 m hurdles, Laura Valette, diminished by a knee injury, and Cyréna Samba-Mayela, injured during the warm-up stop in the series.
Only three French people have spent a lap last night: Gabriel Tual, 3rd in his series, and Pierre-Ambroise Bosse, on time, over 800 m, and Renaud Lavillenie in the pole vault.
And also…
It's already over for Sofiane Oumiha!
The Frenchman was eliminated in the round of 16 of the lightweight boxing tournament.
A fight interrupted by decision of the referee.
The Toulouse player, who was opposed to the American David Keyshawn, seemed to be still able to fight after receiving a big right.