French sprint hurdler Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (© Getty Images)
The French Athletics Federation (FFA) has announced a list of seven athletes who will compete at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Sopot next month.
“The number of selected athletes may seem small, but what’s important for the coaching staff is the commitment the athletes will demonstrate at these championships,” said Ghani Yalouz, national technical director and coach of the French team.
“We’re going to Poland with a small contingent,” added FFA president Bernard Amsalem, “but we go with some serious medal chances.”
The team will be without Olympic pole vault champion Renaud Lavillenie, who injured his foot following his world-record performance in Donetsk earlier this month while attempting a higher height.
But there are genuine medal chances in the likes of world leader Pascal Martinot-Lagarde in the 60m hurdles and European long jump champion Eloyse Lesueur.
FFA for the IAAF
French team for Sopot:
MEN
3000m: Yoann Kowal
60m hurdles: Garfield Darien, Pascal Martinot-Lagarde
Pole vault: Jerome Clavier, Kevin Menaldo
WOMEN
60m hurdles: Cindy Billaud
Long jump: Eloyse Lesueur
