Introduction

One of the main characters in the most enthralling sub-plot of the Olympic Qualifying Series, Sam Avezou was one of three French athletes vying for just two Olympic tickets. There are few higher pressure scenarios than competing against friends in order to qualify for a home Olympic games, and yet Sam handled the pressure magnificently, coming out on top with a first place finish at the Budapest leg of the Olympic Qualifiers, and a second place finish overall, demonstrating just how well he can handle the pressure. 

Whilst Sam may have slightly better results in the Lead portion of the combined format, he’s a climber who has a genuine chance in both disciplines, as shown by his performance in back-to-back World Cups during the 2023 season, where he earned bronze in the boulder in Innsbruck, before taking home silver in the lead in Chamonix just a few weeks later. Add to that his impressive showing at the Budapest Olympic Qualifying Series, where he managed to finish first in both the boulder and lead finals, and you begin to get a sense of just how good Sam is. 

With one of his two World Cup medals coming in front of a home crowd, it will be interesting to see whether Sam can capitalise upon the home support in Paris, and challenge for a place on the podium.

Qualification route

Olympic Qualifier Series 2024: 2nd Place

Trivia

Despite not qualifying for the last Olympic games, Sam does already have Olympic experience, having won Bronze in the combined at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018. Sam’s sister, Zélia Avezou, will also be competing in the combined in Paris.

UKC prediction

9th place

Sam has shown that he can handle the pressure when it matters, and that he can have magical rounds where he seems to be capable of anything. We think he’ll finish on the very edge of the finals, but with a home crowd supporting him, he may well be able to find that magic and prove us wrong.