Djenna Laroui’s Algeria gymnastics switch is now official — the French-trained 21-year-old announced on Instagram on Saturday, April 11 that she is leaving the French national team to compete for her country of origin. She becomes the latest high-profile addition to Algeria’s growing women’s programme, following Kaylia Nemour, her sister Elina, and Louna Hamames.
Laroui, who was born in Lyon in 2005 to Algerian parents, stated that the move was not impulsive. “After nearly 10 years with the French team, it is time for me to announce an important new chapter in my career,” she wrote, adding that the idea of one day representing Algeria had “always been in the back of my mind.” She described the switch as a decision made “out of conviction,” explaining that she believes Algeria “better aligns with the path I wish to build for the rest of my career.”
The gymnast brought considerable credentials to her new national team. A French all-around champion in 2023, she also claimed a bronze medal in the team all-around at the 2023 World Championships in Antwerp, a silver medal at the 2022 Mediterranean Games in Oran, and a bronze medal in the team event at the 2025 European Championships in Leipzig. Versatile across multiple disciplines — including uneven bars, vault, floor exercise, and the individual all-around — Laroui expressed pride in her decade with the French programme while stating she had “no regrets” about the path taken. On Saturday morning, Kaylia Nemour’s mother shared social media posts confirming Laroui had been spotted at Algiers International Airport alongside members of the Algerian national team.
Her transition does come with recent context. In 2024, Laroui’s career was interrupted after a positive doping test; she maintained she had been misled by a medical prescription and returned to competition in 2025. Despite that setback, her arrival significantly strengthens Algeria’s women’s gymnastics roster ahead of an ambitious international calendar. She is not expected to compete at the African Championships scheduled for April 21–27 in Cameroon, suggesting her competitive debut under the Algerian flag will come at a later date.
Sami B. is the founder and editor of Algeria News Gate, an independent English-language platform covering Algeria’s political, economic, and business developments. Based in Europe, he reports on official announcements, economic trends, and international relations involving Algeria.