Berengere Schuh - France

France is rightly regarded as one of archery's leading nations, with a strong tradition in the sport and more than 55,000 target shooters. France was a leading medal winner at archery's early Olympics (especially the Paris 1900 Games). Its only medal since 1972 has been Sebastian Flute's gold medal in the men's individual event in 1992. It has qualified a maximum quota of three men and three women for Athens.

Leading its medal hopes in Athens is Berengere Schuh, 20, the 2003 world indoor champion. Schuh won her world indoor title in the French city of Nimes, in front of thousands of cheering fans and a live national television audience. It should prove a good experience as she prepares for her first Olympics.

"Having won the world championships in Nimes, I know I can cope with the pressure that comes at finals time," she said.

Schuh, along with the other five members of the Olympic team, trains at ENSEP (the acronym of France's national institute of sport and physical education) in Paris. They shoot twice a day with a complete squad of 18 archers, as well as do other physical training such as weights and running.

Schuh placed 24th at the 2003 world outdoor championships in New York, but enjoyed a great run to the medal finals with her team. (The two other French women in Athens, Alexandra Fouace and Aurore Trayan, also competed in the team event.) The team finished fourth, losing the bronze medal final to Ukraine 240-231. In Athens, Schuh believes the team event is again their best medal hope.

"The team event is where we have the best chance to excel," she said. "The Koreans are the best, but there are then many teams who can perform well on the day. We will do our best."

Schuh and the French team, under the watchful eyes of coaches Benoit Dupin, Patrick Lebeau and Marc Dellenbach, attended the Golden Arrow Grand Prix tournament in Antalya, Turkey, last month as their final preparation for Athens. The coaches believed the heat of Antalya made the event the perfect dress rehearsal for the Olympics.

"We followed the same routine we will follow in Athens," said Schuh. "We arrived four days before the event, which gives us time to adjust to the heat and conditions. We know what to expect in Athens."