France mourns deaths of Cléa and Roxanne Dubois

The French sporting community is mourning the loss of two young athletes. Cléa, a 17-year-old rugby player for the Union du Bassin Marmandais, died following a cardiac arrest after receiving a head blow during a match against Agen Agglo. In response, the Fédération Française de Rugby has coordinated nationwide tributes, including a minute of applause before all amateur and professional rugby matches across France this weekend. Additionally, players for the France Women’s XV will wear black armbands during their upcoming match against New Zealand.

Separately, the Fédération française d’équitation announced the death of 27-year-old Roxanne Dubois, a multi-time European and world champion in horse-ball and a member of the French national team. The federation stated she passed away following severe weather events that recently struck southeastern France. While specific circumstances regarding her death have not been disclosed, the announcement has devastated the equestrian community.