France Championships: The incredible imbroglio around the classification Yannick Agnel – The Équipe.fr

“ I thought I had seen everything, but then … I can tell this to my children and my grandchildren. “Yannick Agnel was in almost amused, but did not feel like laughing. It is not yet known if he will go to Rio, and when to speak into the microphones, at the end of the protocol on Wednesday night, he did not even know his final ranking in the 200m final. “ Apparently, I’m third. But I maintain that I am second. We must shed light on this. “

Photo session on the podium, then suspended standings

” it “? The incredible doubt about the classification of Agnel. Announced third in 1’46 “99, behind Jordan POTHAIN (1’46″ 81) and the new champion of France in the 200m, Jeremy Stravius ​​(1’46 “18), he believes – and TV pictures seem to prove him right – he touched second barely finished the race, doubt sets in Antigone pool spans

in the press gallery, discussions are linked.. many are estimating qu’Agnel is second. The officials are busy, and Lionel Horter, coach, comes to news. “ Lionel revisionné images several times ,” said Agnel to defend its position. At the same time, Stravius ​​appears before the microphones, without commenting on the ranking.

Photo shoot in the third place …

The minute parade. The protocol is delayed. After thirty minutes, the positions are confirmed by judges. The gap is not sufficient enough between the three timekeeping processes (the touch plate, the semi-automatic and manual lap timer) to change the decision. And if the former Nice had scratched and not sufficiently supported on the plate?

Agnel is announced by the third speaker at time of taking place on the podium. Horter lodges appeal. The ranking is finally suspended. A decision will be taken in the evening. Around 22:00, it is announced: no change! The Jury of Appeal, which has no right to view the images, said the classification in accordance with the regulations.

No Minimum but some “serenity”

The situation was all the more amazing for Agnel that during morning rounds, electronic problem had already generated an erroneous clock and finally revised down significantly … “ This is unacceptable, I find that things like this happen, especially there for a final championships of France, with Olympic qualification. ‘

this is the heart of the problem, double reading: it is second or third in the 200m final, the former pupil of Bob Bowman has not achieved the minimum for Rio since even Stravius ​​(1’46 “18) is above the bar set by the Federation (1’46″ 06). But in the context of a possible draft, every detail mattered: the percentage difference between the minimum and the stopwatch realized, and ranking, of course, since one of the qualification criteria is to complete the first two places the final.

So Agnel said the statement level and quality of potential members of the relay at the Games. “ I am still with serenity , he assured about the situation. You can have a quality relay and claim gold at the Olympics. The final of the 200 was more dense than before. I am delighted “

Lionel Horter.” I am convinced that Yannick is second “