The Nicollin group formalizes a multi-year sponsorship partnership with the Lebrun brothers: “I really fell in love with these two kids”

Félix (17 years old) and Alexis (20 years old) or the irresistible rise of the Lebrun brothers. MAXPPP – SYLVIE CAMBON

Olivier Nicollin, president of the eponymous group, assures him: "We have two little nuggets (Alexis and Félix Lebrun) in the city (Montpellier) who are shaking up the table tennis lines. pong."

"When we are lucky enough to have two Montpellier athletes like Alexis (20 years old) and Félix Lebrun (17 years old), we will say that it’s chauvinistic sponsorship. I tell myself that we have two little gems in the city who are shaking up the ping-pong lines. It’s a pleasure for me to accompany them." Olivier Nicollin, president of the eponymous group, formalized this Thursday a partnership with the Lebrun brothers as well as with their club, the Nimes-Montpellier table tennis alliance.< /p>

They are not affiliated with the MHSC

If the new stars of the little white ball enter the Nicollin stable, they are not affiliated with the MHSC brand, as volleyball was (MHSC VB) two seasons ago . "For now, no, these are individual performances, even if there are team matches. This is just a real crush for these two kids. We are lucky to have them, if we can help them for several years so that they only worry about their performance, so much the better", assures Olivier Nicollin, who still dreams of an omnisport Montpellier, under the banner of the historic MHSC, following the example of FC Barcelona.

A partnership for the future

But then, tennis player Arthur Cazaux, Pailladin through and through, who burst onto the screen in Melbourne at the start of the year? & quot;Potentially, it could, replies Olivier Nicollin. But if it becomes – I wish it to him – a very good professional tennis player, he will not need to be sponsored by our group to succeed in life. Ping-pong is not a sport for millionaires but for enthusiasts. That’s why I’m helping these two kids, so that they can be as comfortable as possible in their passion."

I also found them good-natured, friendly, relaxed

Nicollin and Lebrun saw each other about three months ago. And the first one flashed: "Not only are they very strong in their sport, but I also found them good-natured, friendly, relaxed, with a good focus in their heads on their sport, because they want to continue to progress", he confided this Thursday afternoon.

Four months before the opening of the Paris 2024 Games, glory may be on the road for the Lebrun brothers. This week, Félix became 5th player in the world, his best ranking. An Olympic medal awaits him at the end of the racket. Nicollin can rub his hands.