The thunderous ovation that greeted Samir Ait Said at Bercy Arena on Saturday nearly knocked the French gymnast off his stride as he launched his Paris Olympics qualifying campaign.
But the 34-year-old Frenchman put himself in the hunt for a long desired rings apparatus medal after a litany of injuries that included a shattered lower left leg suffered in vault qualifying at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
That was another Olympic blow for the rings specialist, who suffered a knee injury at the London Games.
"I want this medal," said Ait Said, who made it back for the Tokyo Olympics but suffered a biceps injury and finished fourth on rings.
"My father passed away after Rio and I made him a promise to have this medal."
With a rapturous crowd behind him Ait Said booked his spot in the rings final with a strong routine that garnered 14.966 points.
But he admitted the support of the home crowd was almost overwhelming.
"I had a lot of pressure," he said with a laugh of the roar that greeted him when he entered the arena. "It was impressive.
"I had to calm myself and stay focused on my job. I was a bit afraid."
An emotional day for Samir Aït Said 🇫🇷
— FIG (@gymnastics) July 27, 2024
The still rings specialist recorded a 14.966 on his chosen apparatus in front of a joyous home crowd. #Paris2024 | #Gymnastics pic.twitter.com/L9J3DRwZdc
It was only when he'd nailed his dismount that Ait Said could enjoy the moment.
"I did my job. It was OK for the final," he said, adding that he might come up with something new for the apparatus final that will also feature Tokyo gold medallist Liu Yang of China and Rio gold medallist Eleftherios Petrounias of Greece.
"I don't know. Maybe I'll change my routine, maybe not," he said. "I have to continue to work. Every time I just work and work."