Seventeen days, the Tokyo Olympics will have kept the viewers in suspense, failing the spectators who were not invited… Among all the things observed, we offer you an anthology of feelings.
READ ALSO: what we liked or not at the Olympics
Our favorites
Gold for two. Two different nationalities on the top step of the height podium. A beautiful and rare image offered by Mutaz Barshim (Qatar) and Gianmarco Tamberi (Italy).
The big dive. Laurent Tillie is a great trainer: he brought blue volleyball to the roof of Olympus. He was also a great player. He recalled it by throwing himself to the ground to try to save a ball against the Poles …
The 3×3. New at the Olympics, the discipline made the show. Without being unanimous, but this first trial gallop remains a success. To confirm.
Tears of joy. Caught up by a lumbago, Kevin Mayer did himself violence not to tear his decathlon bib. In a pond of tears of rage, he fished a silver medal.
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Kevin Mayer, an exceptional comeback rewarded with money. © REUTERS
Alessandra Perilli. She became the first medalist of San Marino (in the Olympic pit). The microstate of Europe will have to think about erecting a statue.
Mountain biking. If it did not give wings to the French, the mountain bike course offered sensational images. At a time when the tracks tend more and more towards cyclo-cross, this “mountain bike” circuit has delighted purists.
Climbing. Spectacular discipline, whether vertical speed or bouldering, climbing is a success for its baptism, with suspense until the end.
Those class! Erwann Le Péchoux, 39, was only a replacement in foil. His three partners gave him a gift: one of them stepped aside to let him shoot in the final against the Russians. For a gold medal for sharing.
Simone Biles. After having endured confidence problems which pushed her to forfeit two approved. Simone Biles got up to clinch bronze on beam. The American has shown that great athletes have the ability to bounce back.
Au BHV. Basketball, handball and volleyball: three sports and five teams that have shown that, even with their backs to the wall (for some), it is possible to overturn mountains. With three gold medals, one in silver and one in bronze, for a breathtaking final.
Canon, this Roman! He appeared out of nowhere on the stage. Left her weighted with the Oscar of the sword. A film script. It was not, however, cinema.
Samir Aït-Saïd. PFlag bearer with Clarisse Agbegnenou, he finished 4th on the rings with a damaged bicep. Cursed at the Games, the gymnast commands respect, already showing his resentment for 2024.
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Samir Aït-Saïd, more than ever in the hearts of the French. © REUTERS
Love always… The scriptwriter of the Olympics sometimes succeeds in wonders. Seven minutes apart, Florent Manaudou and his Danish partner Pernille Blume were medalists in swimming.
Coeducation. Mixed triathlon and judo have proven that the IOC also makes good choices. These events are not only in tune with the times: they spice up the disciplines.
READ ALSO: the Blues who shone or not at the Olympics
Our scratches
A little tour and then go. These Games were the first and the last in karate. Too bad, both the discipline deserves its place as much as skateboarding or breaking, on the program in 2024.
Fists and words. Boxing events have not always been clear or serene. The tricolor clan complained of a “Cabal”. Between protests and low blows, boxing, already in the sights of the IOC, has not fixed its image.
The deserters. Leaving the Tour de France in great shape has brought nothing more. Van der Poel, Nibali nor any other runner who left the Grande Boucle en route (except Roglic, injured) failed to come away with a medal. Like what…
The cracking of Djokovic. World No. 1, he was aiming for the Golden Slam. But the Serbian was beaten by Germany’s Zverev in the semifinals, before losing his nerves in the match for 3rd place, swinging a racket before breaking another. And the spirit of Coubertin?
It’s not good to be Djokovic’s racket today! A few minutes after throwing a first in the stands, the Serbian explodes another against the net #Tokyo2020 #Olympic Games pic.twitter.com/6cumR5nrsj
– Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) July 31, 2021
A little too cutting edge … The new shoes with carbon plates have caused quite a stir. Talk especially. Their contribution, noted in times of madness, is creating a two-speed athlete. World Athletics must tackle this problem head-on and legislate.
Artistic blurs. Traveling on the carpet during an awards ceremony, no image on the shooting targets, bad choice in the outcome of certain races, the Japanese achievement did not win the gold medal.
Blue football. The French fizzled out with a team built in haste with players retained by their club … Blue football did not offer its best profile.
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