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Copyright © 2024 CGTN. 京ICP备20000184号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
Players of France celebrate their 3-2 victory over the Russian Olympic Committee in the men's volleyball final at the Tokyo Olympic Games in Tokyo, August 7, 2021. /CFP
France, as the defending men's volleyball champions at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, want to keep the gold medal of the event from leaving home when the competition starts on July 27.
Before beating the Russian Olympic Committee 3-2 in the men's volleyball final to win their first gold of the event in Tokyo in 2021, France had been qualified for the Olympics only four times and never gone past the quarterfinals. However, the historic victory at the Ariake Arena on August 7, 2021, changed everything.
"It is true that having won already will put a target on our back from the start," Kevin Tillie of France said. "It's been three years since the other teams want to beat us, because we are Olympic champions. We will play at home, and that makes it a double target. But we are really motivated. We know we've won already, but playing at home will be such pleasure. I think the pressure will lift away fast. With our public giving us their support. It will be an incredible moment."
Tillie was a champion member from 2021 and he will fight for the team to win it again this year.
"We've grown older. We've seen each other ageing. But it's also good for the experience," Tillie said. "It's true that the core of the team remains the same. And there are younger players arriving. That is good for the team. To have some renewal. What has changed? Nothing significant, really. We start with more experience. We must stay focused and arriving at a good moment at the right time. And that's good for the Olympics."
France are in Pool A with Serbia, Slovenia and Canada at the 2024 Olympic Games.