Paire booted from French Olympic team

By Nina Pantic Aug 10, 2016
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Paire booted from French Olympic team

The world No. 32 fell in the second round on Tuesday.

ByNina Pantic

Published Aug 10, 2016

Benoit Paire lost twice in Rio, despite only being entered into one event. He was thrown off the French team, and on Tuesday, the 27-year-old was knocked out in the second round by Fabio Fognini, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) after holding match points.

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The Frenchman was in trouble before the loss for poor behavior.

Though not revealing the full details, Arnaud Di Pasquale, the French team’s technical director, said, “You cannot flout the rules and the jersey like this,” and added, "I asked him to pack his bags, to do what he wants to do outside if desired. This is intolerable, unacceptable. He was warned several times, it was coming to him.”

On Tuesday, Paire responded to the ejection by saying, “Now that I know how the Olympics are, I am happy to leave.”

The decision barred the world No. 32 from the village, but not from competing. Paire later issued an apology, stating, among other things, "I want to apologize to the interpretation of some of my comments to France, the French and my sponsors. I love the Olympics and I am very proud to have been able to wear the colors of the French jersey."