French great Vincent Luis has penned a heartfelt reaction to the decision not to include him in France’s team for next month’s Olympic Games in Paris.
Who would get the second and third men’s spots alongside the already-qualified Pierre Le Corre always looked the toughest call for any national federation in terms of their discretionary picks.
The three outstanding contenders had four world champion titles between them – Dorian Coninx (2023), Leo Bergere (2022) and Luis (2020 and 2019).
In terms of career achievements, Luis’ CV is currently the most glittering. As well as the two world titles, he (and Coninx) were part of France’s bronze medal quartet at the Mixed Team Relay in Tokyo, he’s finished in the top 15 individually at each of his three Olympics and has legendary status in Super League Triathlon as well as multiple middle-distance titles.
He’s battled injuries in the last couple of years but showed in May with ninth places at both WTCS Yokohama and Cagliari that he was returning to form.
But three into two doesn’t go and Coninx, who suffered a crash on the bike in Yokohama, and Bergere were the men who got the nod.
Luis labels it an ‘arbitrary choice’
It was always going to be a bitter pill to swallow for whoever missed out and within minutes of the announcement, Luis released a statement on his Instagram account.
It read: “Yesterday I got a call telling me I wasn’t going to race at the Paris Olympics. I asked for justification on how they came to that conclusion but I received unclear answers from my governing body. A total discretionary and arbitrary choice.
“One of the athletes will undergo medical and fitness tests to see if he can perform at the required level in a few weeks. So, my situation at the moment is just waiting to see if I will be reintegrated. To be honest, I don’t have much hope.”
While understandably disappointed by the decision, Luis was also quick to give his support to those who will represent France this summer.
“He added: “I’ve raced the Olympics three times and was looking forward to give it one more push on home soil.
“I wish all the best to the athletes who will represent France. I will always have your back and you know it.
“I want to wish good luck to the 110 athletes racing at the Paris Olympics 2024, this race can change your life but for 104 of you nothing will change.”
Move up in distance?
And it now seems almost inevitable that Luis will make a permanent move up in distance once this season is done.
He last raced at middle distance in 2022, winning twice in the space of a week at CLASH Daytona and IRONMAN 70.3 Bahrain.
He signed off the Instagram post by saying: “I’ve raced 109 races for France, podiumed for 41 of them and won 20.
“I was part of the relay that won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
“I won two gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the World Championships.
“I am currently ranked seventh in the world at the World Triathlon Series.
“I have three more races to go under the French flag and then I’ll put my race suit away with no regret and look back at my career with pride and peace.
My name is Vincent Luis and it seems that my Federation doesn’t need me anymore.
And when posting the statement, Luis thanked “everyone for being so supportive, friends, family, other athletes and staff from other federations” and added “please refrain from any hate towards people in comments.”
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