Founded in 1996 by General PIQUEMAL, commander in chief of the French Foreign Legion from 1994-1999, the Legion's Athletic's Team groups together the best of the Legion's runners. They are all enlisted at the 1st Regiment, French Foreign Legion (1st Régiment étranger).
Our athletes are generally recruited between the best foreign hopefuls during national and international competitions. During four months they follow basic training at boot camp, at the 4th Régiment étranger (4th RE) Castelnaudary. Following initial training they return to Aubagne 1st R.E, where they continue to undergo, not only military and sports training, as everyone, but also their own specific training.
The aim of not only the team, but also each individual member, is to promote the legionnaire's image at the highest national and international athletic levels. The athletic season is traced by the French Athletic Federation's (F.F.A) timeline and also that of the military sports commission.
From october to march, the athletes take part in the most popular cross-country trials (RAPT, Val de Marne, Le Mans etc) as well as the military and civilian trials championships. Every possible help in training is given (winter overseas training, medical advise and check-ups as well as sports management) for the team to win the most prestigious races of the season, and as an end result, be part of the nation teams representing France in world championships.
From April to November, depending on each athletes specific distances, as well as the team's goals, they split up their efforts between different road races(5000m, 1/2 marathon, Ekiden or marathon) on national and international levels, as well as the French track meetings. (1.500m, 3.000m, 3.000 steeple-chase, 5.000m et 10.000m).
Affiliated to the French Athletics Commission with the number 013131, the Legion athletics team (ATHLEG:ATHletics LEGion) is also a completely civilian registered club (Legion pole). Under this name, in conformance with the same rules as all other civilian clubs, the legionnaires can take part in all the different French championships.
In 2008, the pursued objectives are ambitious, just like the team, but seem very realistic. It will be necessary