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Axed before Olympic gold: 'The feeling wasn’t easy to live with'

Gold medalists of Team France take a selfie on the podium during the Men’s Rugby Sevens medal ceremony on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 27, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

France Sevens veteran Jonathan Laugel ended his career shortly after his long-time team won the gold medal at Paris 2024, an Olympic tournament from which he was sidelined. In an exclusive interview with RugbyPass, he reflects on his last and powerful experience.

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When the squad for the Olympic Games was announced on July 8, Jonathan Laugel (31) was notably absent. Given his extensive experience, it seemed likely he would be included, especially as it would have been the crowning achievement of his nearly 600 matches with the French rugby sevens team, including 443 at international level, and a career that began with the Wellington tournament in February 2012.

His last match was against USA in Singapore on May 5, where he faced a narrow defeat by two points (19-17). This close margin highlights the unforgiving nature of Sevens, and it’s one of the reasons why he wasn’t selected for the Olympics.

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“The feeling wasn’t easy to live with,” he tells RugbyPass. “Even though it’s true that it wasn’t my best season, and I was aware of that, I also knew there were some very strong players in my position. Not being in the Olympic squad was a scenario I had anticipated.

“Jérôme (Daret, the coach) and Christophe (Reigt, the manager) called me, and Jérôme informed me that I hadn’t been selected for the Olympic squad.

“He then quickly asked if I would be willing to support the team in any way needed, particularly with match analysis during the competition, to offer an additional perspective. For me, it was an easy decision to make myself available.

“In all the scenarios I had considered, whether I was involved or not, the most important thing was for the team to win a medal and perform at their best. It helped me quickly focused on other things.”

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Although Jonathan didn’t participate in the final weeks of Olympic preparation at the National Rugby Centre in Marcoussis, his expertise was frequently sought as a consultant, even during the competition. This allowed him to experience the Paris 2024 tournament in a way he hadn’t anticipated.

France rugby sevens
Jonathan Laugel à Paris 2024

“I think there were three roles,” he reveals. “The role of the supporter, which involved cheering from my seat; that was a role I quite enjoyed.

“There was the role of the analyst, where Jérôme consulted me and other players for match analysis on teams and individuals – for instance with South Africa – we had to identify their key strengths in the tournament and where they could best utilize them.

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“And then, a third role as a more involved spectator, by opening the rugby sevens final session. I had this triple role. It was quite powerful and filled me with a lot of emotion.”

During the final, he watched from the stands as Joseva Talacolo scored within two minutes, followed by Andy Timo breaking through the Fijian defence until Jefferson-Lee Joseph caught an offload to score and level. Antoine Dupont then came on for the second half, avoided a tackle, and passed to Aaron Grandidier to take the lead. Dupont later scored, securing the win with a final score of 28-7.

“I was with my mother and sister. It was a moment full of emotion, sometimes contradictory. I was there, supporting the team, wanting them to win because of the impact it would have on rugby sevens in France and globally. At the same time, I couldn’t help but think, ‘They’re going to do it, and I’m just watching from the stands,’” says Jonathan Laugel.

“That’s when you imagine scenarios in your head before they happen: if we make it to the final and I’m in the stands, how would I react? What I had prepared myself for was understanding my role in the final result and recognizing that I was part of the achievement and the story being written. That’s what I held onto, allowing me to express a lot of joy in seeing them dominate the final.

“Afterwards, many people in the stands came up to congratulate me on the medal and associate me with it. As for the team, I watched them celebrate and wondered if I should call them or if I should go out onto the pitch.

“I felt that this more spiritual association suited me. I didn’t feel the need to rush out onto the field to celebrate or to join them afterwards to claim the medal by proxy. I was satisfied with their victory; their happiness made me happy.

“And sharing this moment with my family, who had also been part of this emotional journey for several months, felt like the right choice.”

As it stands, Jonathan has yet to hold the gold medal in his hands. “Not yet. And do I really need to touch it?” he asks. “It’s not around my neck, but it’s somewhere inside me. It’s imperceptible, but no one can take that away from me. I wasn’t on the field, and I didn’t feel it around my neck. Spiritually, that’s what means the most to me. The main thing is done. Mentally, it nourishes me far more than if I had to physically touch it.”

It’s without bitterness or frustration that he reflects on not celebrating at Club France, not receiving a standing ovation at the Champ-de-Mars, and not dancing with his teammates. For him, the most important thing lies elsewhere.

“I’m also aware that victory belongs to those on the pitch, to those who experienced it as a team. It was important for them to enjoy it. I was just happy to see them celebrating, dancing this dance we’ve been doing for years. I was thrilled that they were honouring the work we’d done, without any bitterness. I felt like I was where I was supposed to be, even if it was in front of the TV,” he smiles.

Now, a new chapter is beginning. On August 24, he gets married; in September, he goes on his honeymoon; and in October, he starts at Capgemini, where he has been training for the past few years. A new phase of his life is now unfolding.

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I
IkeaBoy 4 hours ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

“Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.”

Good lad, just checking. So you’re not a bot! Chelsea bombed the 2008 final more than United won it. John Terry… couldn’t happen to a nicer fella.


“The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”

Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made.”

So the difference between 2021 and 2023 would of course be TWO YEARS. 24 months would account for 3 different seasons. They contested ECL finals twice in two years. The first in 2021 - which they lost - was still the first elite European final in the clubs then 141 year history. Explain clearly how that’s not an achievement? Guess what age he was then…


“I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright.”

I thought you don’t care what certain managers did 10 years ago…

Why would I address Eddie Jones? Why would he be deserving of a single sentence?


“I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.”

So you haven’t watched even a minute of Super Rugby this year?


“lol u really need to chill out”

Simply frightful! If you’re not a bot you’re at least Gen-Z?

171 Go to comments
f
fl 4 hours ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

“Pep didn’t win the ECL in 2009. It was 2008 with Barca”

Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.


“The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”

Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made. With Barcelona, Pep made the semi final four consecutive times - with City he’s managed only 3 in 8 years. This year they didn’t even make the round of 16.


To re-cap, you wrote that Pep “has gotten better with age. By every measure.” There are some measures that support what you’re saying, but the vast majority of the measures that you have highlighted actually show the opposite.


I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.


I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright. You’ve also not addressed Eddie Jones.


I agree wrt Schmidt. He would ideally be retained, but it wouldn’t work to have a remote head coach. He should definitely be hired as a consultant/analyst/selector though.


“Look at the talent that would be discarded in Schmidt and Kiss if your age Nazism was applied.”

lol u really need to chill out lad. Kiss and Schmidt would both be great members of the coaching set up in 2025, but it would be ridiculous to bank on either to retain the head coach role until 2031.

171 Go to comments
I
IkeaBoy 5 hours ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

Pep didn’t win the ECL in 2009. It was 2008 with Barca. The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.


His time with City - a lower win ratio compared to Bayern Munich as you say - includes a 100 PT season. A feat that will likely never be surpassed. I appreciate you don’t follow soccer too closely but even casual fans refer to the sport in ‘pre and post Pep’ terms and all because of what he has achieved and is continuing to achieve, late career. There is a reason that even U10’s play out from the back now at every level of the game. That’s also a fairly recent development.


How refreshing to return to rugby on a rugby forum.


Ireland won a long over due slam in 2009. The last embers of a golden generation was kicked on by a handful of young new players and a new senior coach. Kiss was brought in as defence coach and was the reason they won it. They’d the best defence in the game at the time. He all but invented the choke tackle. Fittingly they backed it up in the next world cup in their 2011 pool match against… Australia. The instantly iconic image of Will Genia getting rag-dolled by Stephen Ferris.


His career since has even included director of rugby positions. He would have an extremely good idea of where the game is at and where it is going in addition to governance experience and dealings. Not least in Oz were many of the players will have come via or across Rugby League pathways.


Gatland isn’t a valid coach to compare too. He only ever over-achieved and was barely schools level without Shaun Edwards at club or test level. His return to Wales simply exposed his limitations and a chaotic union. It wasn’t age.


Schmidt is open to staying involved in a remote capacity which I think deserves more attention. It would be a brain drain to lose him. He stepped in to coach the ABs in the first 2022 test against Ireland when Foster was laid out with Covid. They mullered Ireland 42-19. He was still heavily involved in the RWC 2023 quarter final. Same story.


Look at the talent that would be discarded in Schmidt and Kiss if your age Nazism was applied.

171 Go to comments
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