Yes, theres some history revisionism going on here were Yee cant swim and bike, I can’t be arsed to go and check but he wasn’t far out the swim, the majority of races last couple of years and he’s taking turns on the front of the bike when he doesn’t even have to (im sure he even tried some cheeky breaks last year)
He’s just won a Supertri (one of many) this is definitely a format you’re quickly found out in if you can’t swim and bike!
Beaugrand, Potter, Periault, Waugh, Yee, Bergere and Lehair are all on the start line for Rome.
As is Jorgensen. How many of those are holding places I don’t know because of the proximity of travel to AUS for grand final in Woolengong.
Beaugrand and Potter are on the Weihai start lists. I can’t see them travelling all the way back to Europe for a World Cup race. I was told the GB athletes racing Weihai would go directly to AUS for preparation for Woolengong. I can see Beaugrand missing Weihai as she has almost the perfect 3000 but Potter would be able to drop a lower score if she got on the podium at Weihai.
You can use a translator but it documents the struggles Emma has had since Paris. It is no secret in France that she was suffering with huge mental health issues over the off season right through to April/May.
EDIT: for those who can’t see it, I have translated some of it, but got coaching at moment.
After finishing 4th at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, 24-year-old Emma Lombardi went through a very tough time. Despite her immense potential, she was affected by what she calls a minor depression and experienced a true physical and mental burnout, which made her question the meaning behind her dedication to sport
A triggering event occurred in March 2025, during the 10 km race in Lille, right after the start, she was trampled and crushed by other competitors. That moment made her think, I don’t want to do triathlon anymore.
As a result, she temporarily stopped training, only exercising when she felt like it, without any structured plan. She also began seeing a psychologist, which helped her a lot.
After this break, she gradually rediscovered the joy of running. She slowly resumed training—initially without pressure—before joining a training camp in Font-Romeu with the group led by international athlete Pierre Le Corre. Now, she says she feels like a competitor again and is ready to continue through the 2026 season, possibly with her eyes on Los Angeles 2028.
French need to look after her, still making her my favorite for gold in LA!
It’s interesting how many Olympians either had bad experiences or just seem relieved to be away from it. Knibb, Waugh, maybe GTB, Lombardi. I don’t really follow short-course all that closely, but I guess the pressure and grind of training and dealing with federations wears them down.
Always worth listening to Chasing the Burn podcast. Chelsea had a “Paris people series” with Knibb, Potter, Kingma, as well as post Olympic interviews with Spivey, Riddle, Waugh, GTB and Hauser.
There is a common thread of disillusionment in these interviews but, other than with Waugh, it doesn’t have a lot to do with fed politics.
Most memorable moment: Potter stopping a run with Yee along the Thames some weeks after Paris to burst out crying uncontrollably for no particular reason.
The big problem with an Olympic cycle is there is enormous pressure to focus on the goal rather than the process. Federations are very goal orientated to protect funding. Athletes that can focus on and enjoy the process tend to weather the storm much better. A home Olympics makes that much worse (positive and negative).
The other side of the coin is those athletes who achieve life long goals of an Olympic medal but find themselves on the edge of the abyss. Olympic blues aren’t just for those who don’t achieve their goal because achieving your goal can be worse.
There are some brilliant doctorate thesis available to read, it is a well researched topic. Mine was on knowledge management and motivation by elite athletes. It is way out of date now and the modern era thesis are far superior.
No doubt Emma will be back to her full potential but France (womens especially) is going to be one of the toughest teams to qualify for. They have some phenomenal U23 and U18 athletes coming through the system. Their strength coming through the ranks is impressive.
I’ve no doubt they do, but where did you get this information from. I looked at the past 2 years under 23 grand final results and it was not obvious
The Frence Federation very rarely sends squads to races that don’t meet their seasonal goals. They aren’t sending anyone to Weihai. They didn’t even send athletes to the recent European junior races. I don’t think they are sending junior athletes to the World Champs in Woollengong and only sending 2 U23.
They don’t waste money sending athletes to races if they aren’t podium potential because at a junior level they can get that day in day out at the divisional league racing here in France. Don’t compare them, they do their own thing.
Even at WTCS level you rarely see them send 5/6 athletes. The women this season I have only seen 4 race at WTCS level (might be wrong haven’t confirmed). Mens side I think they have raced 5 or 6 men at that level.
Squad funding is 3 women (Cassandra, Leoni and Emma), Men is only 4 but can’t remember which.
don’t forget Emma was still a under 23 athlete last year and 4th at the oly games.
I d call that a fantastic under 23 athelte in the last 2 years lol
and you have to think given that the french have given Ilona haldoun born 2004 wtcs starts they must believe in her
there is amber grasset who is still a junior and one of the very very few that has beaten fanni Szalei
France have a few junior men racing in Bled this weekend who have the potential to be future stars.
Schools only started back Monday so they have been training at home outside of their squads. The timing is terrible, but every athlete on the line this weekend knows if they podium they have the possibility of challenging the decision not to send juniors to Woollengong.
at the same time France had always top juniors their issue was always more to make top seniors out of them
Emily cherron who just finished the Tour de France femme one of them.
Yes and of course Ambre is the reigning junior world champion. Fanny and Anouk Danna are two still super young and very promising female triathletes. Too young to factor in LA most probably.
It might be sour grapes after not making the Paris squad, but Luis has hinted that the French fed isnt ran as well as the British.
I’d be interested in what the differences in budgets are between various feds.
The French Fed is less political and very much focused on performance rather than personality. If you don’t make the grade you get cut. That is part of the reason Sam Laidlow went to LD as early as he did. It is ruthless but gets results. They will not send anyone if they don’t have podium potential, even for the experience.
They are about to appoint a new head I think (not sure if she was just a candidate or if confirmed successful).
France will be one of the strongest teams for LA.
I don’t think GB-Tri is well run. Max and Ben still aren’t on funding, yet Barclay Izzard is. If your face don’t fit, you suffer. Ask Jodie Stimpson and Sophie Coldwell!
I do wonder how you reached the conclusion that France is better run than GB. Historically France has 2 Olympic medals and 1 relay medal .GB has 9 plus 2 relay medals.
Jodie Stimpson , who I really liked, lost fair and square to Helen Jenkins. She knew this when she hit the finish line of the last race being considered for olympic selection and burst into tears.
Sophie Caldwell I thought should have been picked.
But I think your assessment of British Triathlon not being tied to performance is somewhat off. Results bear this out.
Also, I think they have a policy of not turfing athletes straight away when injured.
I have no inside information. Just what I observe.
I’m sure Barclay izzard will be gone soon and Max and Ben added.
uff I would not bet against fanni very strong swim you would be surpised if the was not first swim pack in la, strong bike will defo not be dropped and her run times are really good I would not be surprised if she got a top 8 in LA.
Winning medals doesn’t necessarily mean you are running a better organisation. It just means you achieved a goal. It doesn’t articulate how you achieved that goal.