Like a fish in water!
“My father worked at the Cluses swimming pool as a cleaning technician. My older sister and brother were swimmers. It was only natural that I would follow in their footsteps. It was mainly the aquatic environment that interested me in my childhood; my taste for swimming and competition developed over the years, thanks to 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 moved up to the regional level and the French Championships. My results at the French Championships opened the doors to the French national team and international competitions. In itself, the path is simple, you just have to follow the way.”
I am a two-time Olympic medalist. I won a bronze medal in the 100m freestyle at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and a bronze medal in the 100m butterfly at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Under the airs of La Marseillaise!
“A podium finish, whatever it may be, 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 represented when I stepped onto the podium. I realized it afterward, when I stepped off the podium and in the days that followed, with the constant recognition from the sporting world present: the endless telegrams and the celebration organized upon my return by the town and the people of Cluses.”
The Barcelona podium was different. I was going through a period of doubt; I wanted an Olympic title, and I knew it would be very difficult. Managing to reach the third step of the podium was a liberation. I was very happy, moved, and relieved to have achieved this feat.
There is no secret !
"You have to believe in your dreams, don't let anyone make you doubt your abilities. Then you have to work, question yourself, and learn from the world around you that allows you to move forward."
Life after high level
“Career transitions shouldn’t exist anymore; we should be able to offer every athlete a dual career path right from the end of secondary school. This isn’t the case today, so there are no rules; everyone does what they can. Sport is a fantastic school of life. Throughout their careers, athletes develop skills that will benefit them in the business world. We just need to trust them and support them in their future life choices.”
Themes
