D-200 JO PARIS 2024. Our regionals who will win gold: Kevin Mayer and Léon Marchand at the forefront

Kevin Mayer will try to validate his selection in March in San Diego (California). Léon Marchand will have to pass the French Championships in June in Chartres. MAXPPP

200 days before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in France (July 26-August 11), here are the predictions from the Midi Libre sports department. A non-exhaustive list of regional athletes which takes into account past and current results but also our favorites. True stars in their disciplines, Kévin Mayer and Léon Marchand will obviously be the leaders of the French Olympic team.

It’s a sign that doesn’t mislead. Elected champion of French champions 2023 by L’Équipe, Léon Marchand remained deaf to interview requests from the sports daily at the end of the year . From Arizona (USA), where he began the home stretch of his preparation, the Toulouse swimmer entered his bubble. No more getting distracted, even for a good cause.

Triple world champion (400m medley, 200m medley, 200m butterfly) last summer in Fukuoka, the young man, 21, was undoubtedly burned by a lackluster month of November. Blame it on a nasty virus.

Now recovered, Léon Marchand lets his coaches communicate for him. Bob Bowman, his American coach, confirmed his presence alongside the Frenchman during the Olympic Games.

Nicolas Chastel, the one who shaped it at Toec, promises medals without giving a figure. Question of superstition. Marchand will enter the competition on Sunday July 28 with his favorite race (400 m 4 mages), that of his world record. Barring an earthquake at La Défense Arena, he should launch his harvest of titles on this occasion.

Meet in San Diego

Occitanie is a land of champions. With Léon Marchand in Toulouse and… Kevin Mayer in Montpellier. If the first will have to validate his selection during the French Swimming Championships in June (from 11 to 16) in Chartres, the second hopes to resolve the question of the decathlon minimums (8,464 points) from March 21 to 23 in San Diego (United States).

At the French Athletics Federation, we tighten our butts. With the retirement of Pierre-Ambroise Bosse and the announced eclipse of Renaud Lavillenie, the heads of the gondola can be counted on the fingers of one hand: Sasha Zhoya, Wilhem Belocian (110 m hurdles), Wilfried Happio ( 400 m hurdles), Benjamin Robert, Rénelle Lamote (800 m)… And that’s it.

Also read: Paris 2024 Olympics: hit in the hip, Kevin Mayer prefers to throw in the towel and will not participate in the Brisbane decathlon

Also read: "I have no more pain" : Kevin Mayer will try to qualify for the Olympic Games in December in Australia

At 100%, Kevin Mayer, world record holder with 9,126 points, has no equivalent in the world. He is also the most beautiful – the only one with the relays – chance of a medal for a tricolor athletics in search of lost time.

Silver in Rio and Tokyo, the Montpellier native said he was confident after postponing his qualification attempt in mid-December in Australia due to hip pain. "I feel my body bubbling. I know where I'm going, promises the person concerned.

The Olympic decathlon is scheduled for August 2 and 3. "I’can’t wait to have even more pressure to enjoy with the French public at the Stade de France." And light the fire!