They are among the characters of these Paris Olympic Games. The Lebrun brothers, two young French table tennis prodigies. Alexis, the eldest, is 20 years old, his younger brother Felix is 17, but he is already the fifth player in the world. They are playing at the Arena Paris Sud, where it is difficult to find a seat: everyone wants to see these champions who are as spectacular as they are likeable.
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On the track, Félix, the youngest, the same blond head as Alexis, the same rectangular glasses and a magic wrist. They are revolutionizing sports, that’s good! They are comfortable with people, they have something extra ” notes Théo, a long-time supporter.
The Lebrun phenomenon can also be measured on social networks. In France as in China, the country of ping, the two brothers are very popular and recently, a group has been following their tracks. We are the CUL, the Ultra Lebrun Collectiveexplains Baptiste, one of the founding members. There aren’t 10,000 young people like that, hyper talented, hyper nice, in French sport. It’s impossible to choose between the two, it’s like choosing between your father and your mother. Félix and Alexis, we support them both fully. »
Stars present in the stands
Also supporting the big names in sport. Zinedine Zidane came to see a Félix Lebrun play who couldn’t believe it. I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard. It’s huge, it’s incredible, it’s really nice. Yesterday, there were NBA basketball players and now, Zidane is coming. Only superstars come to watch ping-pong, so it’s great for our sport. “, rejoices the table tennis player.
The only false note of the day was the elimination of Alexis, beaten in the 8th final. The elder will become his younger brother’s first supporter in the coming days. Felix will be back in the quarter-finals this Thursday, August 1st against Taiwanese Lin Yun-Ju. Alexis will return for the team event, a little later in these Olympic Games.
Read alsoTable tennis: Félix Lebrun moves into 8th trembling, Alexis in a rush