The IFSC European Championships 2024, hosted in Villars, Switzerland, marked a significant milestone for French athletes in the bouldering discipline. On this remarkable occasion, both Sam Avezou and Naïlé Meignan triumphed in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, delivering an extraordinary performance that captivated the audience.

The thrilling conclusion of the competition saw Mr. Avezou and Ms. Meignan tackling their final boulders simultaneously, creating an atmosphere of intense anticipation. Mr. Avezou transformed his previous silver medal achievement from the 2022 championships into a prestigious gold medal. Meanwhile, Ms. Meignan celebrated her first major senior championship title, further solidifying her standing in the sport.

At the age of 23, Mr. Avezou entered the fourth and final boulder in third place, trailing behind the British climbers, Maximillian Milne and Dayan Akhtar. His prior three boulders had yielded two tops and one zone. Displaying remarkable skill and composure, Mr. Avezou successfully ascended to the zone within just over a minute, thus surging ahead of his competitors and securing the coveted gold medal. Mr. Milne finished the event in second place, with Mr. Akhtar completing the podium in third.

Similarly, 20-year-old Ms. Meignan entered her final boulder in a strong position, aiming to improve upon her bronze medal standing. With her compatriot, Agathe Calliet, positioned in second place and Israel’s Ayala Kerem leading the pack, Ms. Meignan recognized the necessity of achieving a top hold to claim victory. Rising to the occasion, she registered three tops and four zones, ultimately emerging as the champion. Ms. Kerem concluded the competition with a silver medal, while Ms. Calliet secured third place, thereby ensuring a French sweep of the podium in the women’s event.

The semi-finals and finals of both the men’s and women’s competitions were broadcast live on the IFSC YouTube channel internationally. However, for viewers in Europe, the events were accessible through Discovery + and/or the Eurosport Player with a subscription. Following a 24-hour period, each round is made available for viewing free of charge on the Olympic Channel, thus reaching a broader audience.

In conclusion, the achievements of Sam Avezou and Naïlé Meignan at the IFSC European Championships demonstrate France’s burgeoning prominence in the sport of climbing and underscore the nations’ commitment to excellence in athletic performance.

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