Hello Renaud, you took on the Sergeï Bubka legend as a world record holder in pole vaulting, who are the athletes who inspired you to start vaulting?
The first person who made me want to pole vault was my father. He used to jump when I was a baby, and like many I wanted to do what daddy did…. And then I got hooked on the discipline, and never asked myself if I would do anything else because I enjoyed it so much. Growing up, two people inspired me: Jean Galfione and Sergeï Bubka.
As is often the case with pole vaulters, you are good at hurdles and long jump, did you hesitate when choosing the pole at the start of your career?
I never hesitated because for me it was the pole that I enjoyed the most. My progress was made with the pole, so it was complementary to hurdles and long jump and pole vaulting enabled me to be better and to be able to do something else in practice sessions but also in competition at the start of the season.
When did you realize that you could have an exceptional career?
I realized back in 2008 I could make a career out of it, when I realized how consistent I was and, that I was on the doorstep of high-level pro competition. But in 2009, after having won the indoor European championships in Turin, I felt that I could do more and since then I have been collecting medals and records.
Whether it is with your brother or with the current new generation, you have always had a mentor streak. What do you want to convey?
I try to help in two aspects:
- the technical side: to understand the importance of certain phases of the jump, why do this or that, the technical details of the choice of poles, settings etc.
- the mental aspect: to boost or calm them, to share my experience to help them avoid certain mistakes ...
This is very often on a case-by-case basis, depending on the period, needs, and some things that come naturally.
Do you believe you’ll become a coach someday?
A full-time coach, I don't think so... but maybe a freelance consultant is a possibility.
It’s personal but if I have good feeling about an athlete, I invest myself... if not, I don’t force it.
With the arrival of a new generation of talents (Duplantis, Morgunov, Kendricks), is it like a second career starting for you?
The first part of my career was fast from 2009 to 2016, and since 2017 due to the injuries that slowed me down a bit and the arrival of young prodigies, a second part of my career is starting. What is important is that even with new talent, I’m still in the battle and I am not done yet ;)
So, what would be your ideal scenario in Tokyo?
We have to wait to be sure that the Tokyo Olympic Games will take place... but my advantages are that I will have nothing to lose. The objective of getting a 3rd Olympic medal will depend on my ability to compete because on the pole, no matter how much margin you can have, it is never won in advance. It only takes a jump at the right time to turn the situation to one’s advantage. So, if I continue to progress physically, I will be able to astonish.
You are a motorcycle fanatic; do you have any sport challenge dreams other than pole vaulting?
Oh yes, I have! I, I love motorcycling. I have two goals: to do a season in the French motorcycle road racing championships or in endurance, and to do Le Mans 24 Hour car race (having done it on motorcycle in 2013) and why not participate in a rally with my friend Cyril Despres as well? The convenience with motor sports is that at 35 you are far from being old! So, Im looking forward to the future.
What about a marathon one day?
I think I would lose a bet!!!!!!! But it is not impossible I would take part in one for the experience…. As long as I could prepare for it at least minimally because endurance is clearly not my thing.