The French Grand Prix is one of the premier triathlon circuits, contested by elite names from across Europe and beyond. Over a decade ago, the likes of Alistair Brownlee and Javier Gomez Noya graced the circuit while this year the likes of Alex Yee, Mario Mola and Jelle Geens went head-to-head.
Over the course of five races, an array of French clubs compete in a team classification. Of the five athletes that start per team (and per gender) the scores of the three highest finishers are recorded.
Currently, however, it appears that one of the most illustrious names in the series has found itself in difficult waters.
Earlier this year, Metz Triathlon found itself in a close battle for the overall championship against Poissy Triathlon in both the men’s and women’s competitions. The third race of the Grand Prix was held in Metz itself and, heading into their home race, Metz Triathlon were within striking distance of taking control of the competition.
The women’s team has been able to call upon the likes of Jeanne Lehair and Margot Garabedian this year. On the men’s side, athletes like Valentin Morlec, Noah Servais and Maxime Hueber-Moosbrugger have represented Metz.
Ultimately, the women’s team took third in the Grand Prix (only 3 points behind second). The men took fifth overall.
Now, however, the team has been rocked by a judicial investigation and the release of several of its athletes.
After 19 years with Metz Triathlon, Jeanne Lehair posted on Instagram that she received an email from the president of the club that ended her time with the team.
Other athletes, including Thomas Sayer, the 2022 French elite champion, have posted similar news.
Beyond the misfortune of the athletes, the crux of the issue seems to revolve around a judicial investigation into the running of the club. In a Facebook post, Leon Marcel revealed that he had resigned as vice president of the club in June 2022. This came after discovering in September 2021 that a judicial investigation was underway for offences committed by a senior employee of the team.
You can view Marcel’s post in more detail here.
Perhaps most alarmingly for those with a connection to Metz Triathlon, Marcel and others have referred to new internal regulation that appears to suppress criticism of the committee of the club and the governance of the club.
With the French Grand Prix set to return in 2023, the question remains whether Metz Triathlon will too.
