Winning one Olympic gold is the pinnacle of most sporting careers but winning two puts Antoine Brizard in rare company. The French setter reflects on the euphoria of Olympic glory and why Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 each carried very different emotions.
“The first thing that comes to mind after our victory in Tokyo is that I don’t even know how to put it into words,” Brizard said. “It was such a special, emotional moment. There was also this sense that we could hardly believe it ourselves, especially with no fans in the arena. That’s probably how I’d describe it.”
Paris offered a completely different experience. Competing on home soil meant family, friends and French supporters were there to share every moment, turning the team’s second Olympic gold into a celebration the entire country could experience.
“The biggest difference between the first and the second was the fans,” Brizard said. “Playing in France, in front of our families, made it completely different.
“After Tokyo, it was difficult to put into words what we’d experienced. This time, they got to live it with us and share that moment. Having our loved ones there, along with the incredible support of the French crowd, and feeling that we’d accomplished something so special at home, made it unforgettable.”
Although both victories ended with gold medals, they marked the beginning of two very different chapters in Brizard’s career.
“Those moments in my career were filled with very different emotions,” Brizard said. “Naturally, we celebrated both victories properly, but what came afterwards was completely different.
“After Tokyo, there was the pressure that came with being Olympic champions and the responsibility of living up to that title. After Paris, it was a feeling of fulfilment. I felt I had nothing left to prove to anyone and was completely at peace with myself and my career. They were two very different experiences.”
Even as France edged closer to Olympic gold, Brizard says the team never looked too far ahead.
“I don’t think there was a single moment when we truly believed we were going to win gold,” Brizard said. “The tournament was difficult from beginning to end. There was a turning point during the group stage against Russia, but even then, we never really thought we were going to become Olympic champions until the final point. Perhaps when we went 2-0 up in the final against Russia, we started to think, ‘Maybe this is really happening.’ But it was a hard-fought match all the way to the end.”
Paris followed a different path. As the tournament progressed, Brizard sensed a shift within the team that would ultimately define France’s title run.
“Paris was completely different. We genuinely felt we could win gold at home. For me, that belief came towards the end of the second set against Italy in the semifinal. That’s when we realised we were playing exceptional volleyball,” Brizard said.
“The bond between the team and the crowd had already started to build at the end of the quarterfinal, but during the semifinal it reached another level. There was a perfect connection between us and the fans, and it felt like we had become an unstoppable force. We also went into the final with a lot of confidence, so I’d say it was around the middle of the semifinal that we truly started believing.”
Choosing between his two Olympic finals is one decision Brizard still finds difficult.
“If I had to relive one final, it would be a tough choice,” Brizard said. “In terms of intensity, quality of play and drama, the Tokyo final was unforgettable. But when it comes to the emotion, sharing that moment with the fans, and experiencing France win an Olympic title on home soil in Paris, I’d probably choose Paris.”
With time, Brizard came to appreciate that each Olympic title had changed him in its own way.
“The experience has shaped me in very different ways,” Brizard said. “As I mentioned before, after Tokyo there was a huge sense of achievement, but it also came with the burden of being Olympic champions. We felt we had to justify that title every day, and that created a lot of pressure. Looking back, I’m not sure we always handled it the right way.
“After Paris, the feeling was completely different. We’d accomplished something no team from our generation had done. We became only the third team in history to achieve it. That brought me a real sense of peace. I had complete confidence in myself and my game, with nothing left to prove to anyone. It also challenged me to find a new motivation and a fresh perspective for the next chapter of my career.”
Having achieved more than he ever imagined, Brizard encourages the next generation to dream without limits.
“What would I say to the next generation? Honestly, it’s hard to say because I never truly believed it myself,” Brizard said. “My dream was to compete at the Olympic Games. I never really imagined winning them until it actually happened.
“My advice would be to always dream big. Give yourself every opportunity to chase the biggest dreams you can. Nothing is impossible. It takes an enormous amount of hard work and sacrifice, and there’s no guarantee you’ll reach your goal, but the journey is always worth it.”
Those experiences also reinforced Brizard’s appreciation for the French fans who have followed the team’s journey.
“What makes French fans so special? I think it’s closely linked to who we are as a team and the way we play,” Brizard said. “We play with joy, we have fun on the court, and I think that resonates with people. The fans who support us are people who love life and love sport. In a way, they’re a little bit like us, and that’s what makes them so special.”
As much as he values what France has achieved together, Brizard believes there are more important ways to be remembered.
“How do I want people to remember me? That’s a great question,” Brizard said. “I’m proud of everything we’ve achieved as a team, and I know what we’ve accomplished. But sporting success is fleeting. It doesn’t always last through the generations.
“More than being remembered as a volleyball player, I’d like to be remembered as a good person. If the people I’ve met feel that I helped them in some way, inspired them, or had a positive impact on their lives, that would mean more to me than any achievement on the court.
The same selfless approach also defines Brizard’s philosophy as a setter.
“For me, the most important quality in a setter isn’t technical ability,” Brizard said. “It’s knowing how to bring out the best in your teammates. There are lots of different ways to do that, but above all, a setter has to be selfless and genuinely enjoy helping others shine.”
This World Volleyball Day on 7 July, keep dreaming big, wherever volleyball takes you. Share the moments that inspire you using #WorldVolleyballDay.
