Will they make it to Tokyo 2020? Will they go for Paris 2024? These are two of the biggest questions for Ronan Labar and Thom Gicquel.
The French have multiple times showed that they are not far from the top level of the best European men’s doubles. At the 2019 European Games in Minsk the French reached the quarterfinals losing in three close games against the top seeds, Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, Denmark.
Labar has proven that he has the skills to do well at the European level winning the bronze medals at the 2017 European Championships in mixed doubles. Thom Gicquel is one of the biggest talents in European badminton, and for his partner on court, it is clear, that Gicquel is on the right track.
- Obviously the big improvement is, that he is more stable now than before. One and a half year ago, when we started playing together, we could see the potential, the physical ability and the mental strength. Now here one year later, you feel, that he is more confident, Ronan Labar said.
Stay calm – keep confident
For Thom Gicquel there is no doubt: He has developed thanks to Ronan Labar.
- Ronan has taught me a lot regarding stability. He has taught me to stay calm and keep confident, Gicquel said.
- He is winning the close games now, and the opponent knows it. He is for sure a better play than when we started playing together, Labar added.
Paris 2024
The 2024 Olympics in Paris are a thing for all French athletes. It is obvious that an athlete would like to qualify for the Olympics on home soil, but for Ronan Labar (30) and Thom Gicquel (20) the approach is different.
- For me, Paris is something I am thinking about, Thom Gicquel said looking to his more experienced partner.
- We will see. It is quite a long time. First of all, we have some big goals during the Olympic qualification. Things can change very fast, and we still hope to get a chance in men’s doubles in Tokyo, and then we will see in a year from now, how my career will continue, Labar said.
Labar and Gicquel will enter the World Championships in Basel as unseeds.