Paris 2024 Olympic Games | Unbeatable location, triple 10s in profusion, Amélie Cordeau sets the public alight: at the core of an archery session on the Esplanade des Invalides
Late on Wednesday afternoon, an archery session took place on the Esplanade des Invalides, with the men's and women's round of 32 and 16 preliminary matches. We take a look at one of the two grandstands at one of the most iconic competition venues of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
A few hours after Cassandre Beaugrand won the Olympic triathlon title on the nearby Pont Alexandre III, a new archery session took place late on Wednesday afternoon on the Esplanade des Invalides.
A site with an uninterrupted view of Paris's greatest monuments, it is one of the most closely scrutinised at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Despite the threatening thunderstorms, the public was once again out in force. Right from the entrance, in the serpentine leading to e-ticket control and security, fans were indeed present in large numbers. The first shot was due to be fired in less than 30 minutes. Once outside, visitors were treated to a breathtaking view of the Dôme des Invalides.
"It's incredible, this site!" said one mother to her children. It has to be said that the gilding of the Parisian monuments on the horizon lends an obvious cachet and provides a monumental backdrop to the events.
Jean-Charles Valladont on conquered ground
The sweltering temperature was also part of the party, and it was clear that the archers would have to be even more vigilant than usual to shoot their arrows accurately. "They say it's a really interesting sport", could be heard from the crowd, who were very happy to be experiencing the Olympic Games right in the heart of Paris.
And how! After Carole Ferriou's three strikes at the start of hostilities - and with France's Jean-Charles Valladont and Great Britain's Conor Hall, with their backs to the Invalides, facing off in the round of 32 - the arrows flew all along the huge blue shooting range (one of the colours of the Paris 2024 look) built on the Esplanade and emblazoned with the mythical Olympic rings.
Naturally, the French fans were cheering on the silver medallist in the team event. Valladont, the hero of this competition, was back on conquered ground at this incomparable venue. With his bob over his head and sunglasses screwed onto his pillows, he got off to a difficult start in his game (for which he was the favourite). This despite the many "Jean-Charles, Jean-Charles, Jean-Charles!!!" from the audience. His audience.
Despite three arrows in the bull's-eye (well, in the 10 as we say in the jargon), he lost the first volley before sharing the next two. The level of play in the stands was regal. "It's impressive", could be heard between the arrows.
Amélie Cordeau on fire
The rest continued to prove them right, as the Frenchman finally got into his stride and pulled level... in an impressive cathedral-like silence as the bowstring tightened. Unfortunately, his British opponent ended the suspense on the next volley with an incredible triple 10, putting an end to the adventure of the local darling, who was warmly applauded as he left the stadium.
Understandably, the atmosphere took a slight hit, but the announcer made every effort to keep the crowd going. With the possible exception of this spectator, standing not far from the targets, watching on his smartphone the victorious bronze medal fight by judoka Maxime-Gaël Ngayap Hambou.
Amélie Cordeau's entry into the competition, against Slovakia's Denisa Barankova in the round of 32 of the women's tournament, then put a spring in her step. The cheers were once again loud and the blue-white-and-red flags came out of their lairs. The tricolore's game began with a bad 6. Immediately, "Come on Amélie, it's all right, breathe deeply" came from the stands. A privilege for an athlete playing at home at the Olympic Games.
It was to a sublime female rendition of Emmenez-moi au pays des merveilles that the break was called after this first lost volley. Reassured, Amélie Cordeau managed to raise her game to earn a draw in the second set. The crowd had high hopes! The Annemasse native followed up with two 10s and a volley that she won without fear. At the age of 18, she was enjoying herself and the fans at the Esplanade. "We want you in the last 16", shouted one fan (the same one who was watching the judo during the previous match).
A fatal shoot-off
Launched like a bullet and as precise as a high-precision marksman, Amélie Cordeau then took the lead... to score her ticket amid an extraordinary brouhaha! A few days after the boys' collective medal, it was a young female archer who had just come of age who set the Invalides alight and provoked the “Pooooo popopopopooooo” so characteristic of French fans.
A few minutes later, as the rain returned in fine drops, the Frenchwoman from Haut-Savoie made her return to the stadium to contest her round of 16. Warmly welcomed after her previous success, she played the 16-year-old British player Megan Havers. In this youthful duel, the Frenchwoman was trailing 3-1 before in turn hitting a triple 10. Perfect to get back on level terms.
A mistake (an 8 on her third arrow) cost Amélie Cordeau the next set... who then came back, mentally, to 5-5, offering herself a shoot-off. A shoot-off lost with a 9 against a 10 right down the middle for her youngest daughter. Despite everything, the Frenchwoman thrilled her fans and was able to leave the Esplanade with a smile on her face. Despite the regrets.
In the end, for 1.5 hours (the session was halted halfway through because of the forecast bad weather), the audience had no time to get bored, as the pace of the oppositions (6 on the programme in this time!) was so fast and effective. Despite the French defeats and the interruption, the fans were enthralled by the 10s scored by the Olympic archers... and in particular by the superb duel between Conor and Tom Hall, which was decided by a shoot-off. That alone made the trip to Les Invalides worthwhile!