Non, rien de rien.
The pitch is familiar to him. The hallways and locker rooms are second nature. He understands how the sound reverberates through the stands, and he knows the winding path the coach navigates into the heart of the stadium. But the vast expanse, the intimidating sensation of freedom, of soaring against a powerful wind – this is uncharted territory. This is a journey Antoine Dupont has only just begun, yet here, it reaches its climax.
We last saw him nine months ago, nursing a black eye filled with regrets, grappling with physical pain that would fade and a deeper emotional hurt that would linger. He left Paris for Bali: a getaway to recharge, and more crucially, a place where no one would witness the World Cup final. He didn’t want to see others hoisting the trophy he yearned for. So, he wandered, soaked up the sun, and returned with a fresh purpose.
Avec mes souvenirs, j’ai allumé le feu.
However, even for the greatest rugby player alive, seeking redemption carries its own risks. Foregoing the Six Nations, leaving behind the team he cherishes and the colleagues he holds dear, all for a leap into the unpredictable. The glory – achieving a gold medal in a home Olympics – is the pinnacle for any athlete. Yet, the potential for heartache looms large.
Balayé pour toujours, je repars à zéro.
Visualizing success is the straightforward part. Mastering a new discipline in just six months and applying it to a team that didn’t qualify for Tokyo: this is rugby at its most challenging level. New strategies and techniques must be learned. The rucks and kick-offs are distinct. The physical requirements – an incessant need to sprint and sustain that energy – are unlike anything before. No breaks, no hiding spots.
Yet, this aspect has always aligned with Dupont’s nature, a player whose fierce desire to lead shines through even in team dynamics, driven by a need to take charge, “a player who comes to expose himself,” as his coach, Jérôme Daret, describes him.
The greatest athletes soon realize that their talent is as much a commitment as it is a blessing. They owe it to themselves, and to those around them, to continually venture into new realms.
Non, rien de rien.
And so, on a reassuringly damp evening in Paris, he finds himself ready for the challenge once more. South Africa, his World Cup adversaries, have been defeated in the semi-finals. Fiji, however, stand as an imposing narrative, boasting a flawless record of 17 wins at the Olympics, a team that treats rugby like basketball, producing astonishing offloads and rapid-fire combinations.
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As the second half begins, the score is tied at 7-7 when Dupont enters the fray. And then, magic unfolds.
Fiji kicks off. Dupont gathers the ball. Instantly, his mind processes the black and white figures darting in front of him. In this scenario, most players would pass the ball, stabilize, and gradually enter the game. But those players don’t achieve Olympic gold with only six months of preparation. And so, Dupont surges forward. He simply goes. Filled with speed and momentary clarity, he navigates a precise course along the left touchline. Aaron Grandidier Nkanang crosses the try line. Yet it is Dupont who ignites the spark.
Sunrise has graced Saint-Denis, and for seven minutes, Dupont reigns as its Sun King. A formidable Fiji team is utterly dismantled and outshined. He quickly takes a penalty, weaves past two defenders, and propels himself across the line. In the final moments, as tears flow from grown men’s eyes in the stands, he adds the finishing touch: a powerful mini-maul, a second try, and a triumphant roar.
Dupont didn’t need redemption. He already possessed the love of a nation, the admiration of an entire sport, Top 14 titles, and lucrative endorsements. But what he achieved here will resonate long past when the vibrant décor has been taken down. A new chapter for a new sport, a local hero for a home Olympics, a moment that will be remembered forever, a miracle.
Was it all worth it—the sorrows and heartaches? Standing on the podium, ears filled with La Marseillaise, a gold medal around his neck, Dupont appeared to be a man with no regrets.
