Paris 2024 Olympics. Félix Lebrun, qualified for the semi-final: “Having gone to get this victory is huge for me”, “a great pride”

Félix Lebrun dominated Taiwanese Lin Yun-Ju in the final, Thursday at the Arena Sud Paris. MAXPPP – Sebastien Botella

The youngest of the Lebrun brothers, Félix (17 years old), secured his place in the semi-finals by dominating Taiwanese Lin Yun-Ju at the end of a suspenseful match, Thursday, August 1st. Twenty-two after Jean-Philippe Gatien, he is on the verge of making history but remains measured.

How do you come out of such a match ?

It was super tight, each time there was a set for me, one for him, etc. And in the end, I started really well in the playoff, like yesterday (Wednesday in the 8th final), which allowed me to take the advantage, to also take the upper hand a little mentally. I thought he was dominating the rallies a little bit for the last two or three sets, and I was pretty much struggling.

You did it on Wednesday in the 8th round, you're doing it again today leading 7-0: what's your secret for starting the big games so strongly?

There's no real secret, it's just that I think the stress is rising a little bit, that it allows me to be focused too, to be at more than 100% of my concentration. I am lucky that, at the moment, I play my best ping whenever it is necessary.

An Olympic semi-final at 17, what does that represent ?

It's huge. It was a goal at the beginning, because I was starting (seeded) number 3, and I wanted to hold my rank. But it's not easy. I definitely dream of a medal. But I'm not there yet.

It's a big step to get to the semi-finals. I'm going to try to give my best to get that medal.

Your brother Alexis, in the stands during your match, said he was impressed by your game.

That's nice. He told me that too. We'll talk about it later.

You watched him once during your match?

Yes, I saw him get upset when I missed an easy ball. He was there, he supported me. Like the whole French team and the whole crowd. In general, it's incredible to play here. I feel really supported and it pushes me every time.

It allows me, especially in the two matches where there was a winner, to find that extra bit of soul.

Do you realize how historic what you are achieving is, given that the last individual French medal at the Olympics in table tennis dates back to 1992 ? Do you realize the weight of history ?

Honestly, not too much. Since we've been in the context of the Olympic Games, I've cut off social media, my phone, etc. a bit. I try to be careful not to lose energy. I'm more in my own bubble and I don't pay too much attention to all the excitement.

But I still feel that something is happening. It's true that we've had great champions in France, but it's been a while since there have been any great results at the Olympic Games. I haven't yet won a medal, but in any case, it's already huge to be in the semi-finals. There weren't many. It's a great source of pride for me.

Does the fact that Léon Marchand, for example, is doing well, carry you, stimulate you ? Is there something happening here in Paris ?

What he did is extraordinary. He already has three gold medals. I followed his race on Wednesday, of course. It's a monster. It's bound to push you.

And then, the whole French team. When there are other athletes, we watch the competition at the bottom of the France building. And there, I know that there are some who watched my match and who will congratulate me when I go back to the village. It gives energy to the whole French team.