2009 SU Update: French Flag Bearer is Olympic Medallist

Gwladys Epangue, bronze medallist at the 2008 Olympics

When the French delegation will march in the Opening Ceremony venue in Belgrade on July 1st , its tricolor flag will be carried by 2008 Olympics bronze medallist Gwladys Epangue. Besides her Olympic medal at the Games in Beijing, Gwladys is a triple European Champion (2002/2004/2005) and triple European Vice-Champion (2000/2006/2008). She won the silver at the World Championships twice as well (2005/2007). Gwladys is quite familiar with the Universiade competition as she won bronze twice, in Daegu (2003) and Izmir (2005). No doubt she will be a fierce contender in her weight category. Other taekwondo medal hopefuls for France are Marlène Harmois (2008 European Champion), Maewa Musso (Bronze at 2008 EC), Stéphanie Ollive (2 Bronze at 2008 EC/individual & team) and Arnaud Sangue (Bronze at 2008 EC and Bronze at 2007 SU).

Besides a star studded taekwondo team, the French without any doubt will shine in the swimming pool with Olympic silver medallist Boris Steimetz (4x100m relay freestyle), Olympian Sébastien Rouault (Bronze at 2006 OC/ French Record holder 800/1500) and Olympian Elsa N’Guessan (9th in Athens 2004 and 2 bronze at 2005 SU).

Another athlete to watch in the French delegation is archer Thomas Aubert, 2008 Vice European Champion (Individual & Team).

The 25th Summer Universiade in Belgrade will officially open on July 1st with the Opening Ceremony.