At just 17 years old, Kaylia Nemour has become a standout in the world of gymnastics with her mesmerizing uneven bars routine. Her performance, a blend of fluidity and daring moves, has positioned her as a top contender for a medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Last month, Nemour astounded audiences with a record-breaking score on the bars, reminiscent of her stellar performance at the Tokyo Olympics. However, what makes her story even more remarkable is the fact that she will not be representing her home country, France, but Algeria.
Nemour’s switch in nationality last year came after a tumultuous conflict with the French gymnastics federation. Initially rooted in a disagreement over training facilities for the Games, the dispute escalated into allegations of excessive training, heated arguments, and a lengthy investigation that concluded the federation had mistreated Nemour’s home gym in Avoine, France.
“Kaylia’s ultimate goal was to compete for France at the Olympics, like any aspiring athlete,” expressed her mother, Stéphanie Nemour, who also serves as the gym’s president. “It’s disheartening for our gymnasts to witness the federation, meant to support them, behave in such a manner.”
The French federation, when approached for comment on the situation, chose not to address the specifics of their conflict with Nemour and her coaches, or their separation from the federation.
