Stephen Boyer, one of the world’s top volleyball attackers, will not be part of the French national team for the upcoming Paris Olympics. This decision was made by the team’s head coach, Andrea Giani, due to Boyer’s recent ankle injury. Despite Boyer’s efforts to recover, Giani decided to exclude him from the squad. Boyer expressed deep disappointment but is now focusing on his club season with Asseco Resovia.
Olympic Hopeful Sidelined
Stephen Boyer, the standout attacker for France’s national volleyball team, has been ruled out of participating in the Paris Olympics. Head coach Andrea Giani announced this decision, citing concerns over Boyer’s recent ankle injury, which occurred in April during a match in the PlusLiga quarterfinals. Despite significant recovery progress, Giani chose to move forward without Boyer, leaving the 28-year-old devastated.
Injury and Recovery
During a critical match between Trefl Gdańsk and Asseco Resovia Rzeszów, Boyer suffered a severe ankle injury, abruptly ending his season. The injury initially seemed to jeopardize only his club season, but as the Olympics approached, Boyer was hopeful for a return. With six weeks remaining before the Games, Boyer believed he could regain full fitness, yet Giani’s decision remained unchanged.
A Coach’s Decision
Boyer shared his disappointment in an interview with PlusLiga’s official website, revealing that Giani felt confident in the current squad’s composition. Boyer, although physically improving, was informed he would not participate in the remaining Nations League matches or the Olympics. This news came as a severe blow to Boyer, who had been preparing rigorously for a potential comeback.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, Boyer remains motivated and is now channeling his energy into the upcoming PlusLiga season with Asseco Resovia. He expressed a mix of frustration and determination, acknowledging the harsh reality of his exclusion from the Olympic team. As France prepares to defend its Olympic title on home soil, Boyer’s absence will be keenly felt, but his focus shifts to achieving success at the club level.
