Léa Riccoboni Explains Roots and Choice to Race for France
With ties across Latin America, the triathlete chose the country where she was raised and began in competitive skiing.
During the IRONMAN 70.3 Florianópolis press conference, Léa Riccoboni detailed her multicultural background across various Latin American countries. The professional triathlete explained her decision to represent France, where she built her athletic foundation.
For Léa Riccoboni, deciding which flag to carry to the starting line reflects a life story spanning multiple countries. During the IRONMAN 70.3 Florianópolis press conference, the professional triathlete discussed her strong ties to Latin America and the reasons behind her decision to compete under the French flag on the international stage.
Latin American ties and the start in triathlon
Léa's relationship with Latin America runs deep. Beyond roots in Chile, the athlete has a history with Brazil dating back to 2004—including time spent in Ceará—and began her triathlon journey in Panama. As an amateur, she competed and won races in places like Argentina and Bolivia, forging friendships and connections wherever she went while learning the region's languages.
With so many experiences across the continent, choosing just one Latin American nation to represent posed a dilemma. The decision not to select a specific country in the Americas stemmed precisely from her appreciation and respect for the sporting community she built in each one.
Athletic development in France
Despite her Latin American connections, her athletic development and foundation were established in Europe. Léa was raised in France, where she was educated and built her initial competitive base in high-performance skiing before transitioning to endurance events and triathlon.
By racing under the French flag, the triathlete honors her formative roots and the technical background gained from skiing. The choice also definitively resolved the dilemma among Latin nations, ensuring that the official start list reflects where she grew up.