The Army of Champions recruits high-level athletes into its various services (Army, Air and Space Force, Navy and Gendarmerie). Some of their recent recruits include vice world champion kayaker Nicolas Gestin, and Luka Mkheidze, a judoka who won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and the 2023 European champion status. Both are aiming for a gold medal this summer, and both have just signed up to the Army of Champions so that they can support themselves on a regular wage. Although the army is not the best-known sponsor of athletes, at the last Olympic Games (Tokyo), half of the gold medallists were military personnel. During their three-day induction, Luka is trying his hand at weapons handling and obstacle courses. "It's impressive, it's heavy. It's the first time I've held a weapon in my hands," he says. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES