Like a fish in water!
“My father worked at the Cluses swimming pool as a surface technician. My older sister and brother used to swim. It made sense that I would follow in their footsteps. It was especially the aquatic environment that interested me in my childhood, my taste for swimming and competition developed over the years, through the encounters that introduced me to the vast world of sport.”
A well-filled track record!
“I started like everyone else with departmental competitions, then I progressed to the region and the French Championships. My results at the French Championships opened the doors to the French team and international competitions. In itself the route is simple, you just have to follow the path.
I am a double Olympic medalist. Seoul Olympic Games in 1988, bronze medalist in the 100 NL and Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992, bronze medalist in the 100m butterfly.”
Under the airs of La Marseillaise!
“A podium, whatever it is, is always experienced differently. My podium in Seoul was a real surprise and the first French medal for the entire Olympic team. I was 20 years old, it was my first Games, I don't think I had time to realize what was happening and what it meant when I got on the podium. I realized it afterwards, coming down from the podium and the days that followed with constant recognition from the sporting world present: the telegrams that never stopped arriving and the party organized on my return by the town and the Clusiens .
The Barcelona podium was different. I was in a period of doubt, I wanted an Olympic title and I knew it would be very complicated. Having managed to get on the third step of the podium was a relief. I was very happy, moved and relieved to have achieved this feat.”
There is no secret !
“You have to believe in your dreams, and don’t let anyone make you doubt your abilities. Then you have to work, question yourself and enrich yourself with the world that surrounds you and allows you to move forward.”
Life after high level
“Retraining should no longer exist, we should be able to offer a dual project to each athlete from the end of secondary school. Which is not the case today so there are no rules, everyone does what they can. Sport is a wonderful school of life. Throughout their career, athletes develop skills that will benefit them in the business world. We just have to trust him and support him in his future life choices.”
Themes
