Hi Mathilde, how are you ? It’s the holidays?
Hey, it’s going well, thank you. I’m going back to my training routine after a good holiday.
You can be seen on all distances and environments – from cross-country to the track, from the 1500m to the 10000m ; How would you define you as an athlete ? A distance that looks like you more than an other?
I think it’s important to be versatile. Of course, I feel more comfortable on long distances, but to be a good 10000m athlete, it’s important to be fast on 1500 and 3000. Then I like to change a little, to confront myself against 1500m athletes specialists for example. This is also what make our sport interesting, we can practice it over different distances and in several environments!
What lessons have you learned from this year, both In sport and school ?
On the both I’m quite satisfied with my year. I validated my master’s in business law with mention and I again wore the jersey of the French team. I am especially happy and relieved to have passed this stage.
The double project seems to be a central point for you. Can you tell us more about it?
It is true that I am committed to bringing the message that it is possible to have a double project and to succeed. It’s important to show young people especially that it’s not necessary to stop classes to perform. After that, of course, depending on the level of requirement of the training and the athletes, that can change; But overall I think it’s necessary to have a good balance. Even if it was not always easy for me to combine both, my double project allowed me to relativize. For example, I was less stressed for the exams because I had already experienced more intense stress situations during international competitions. I have learned to be more productive in a short period of time. I am convinced of the added value of the double project.
From a purely athletic aspect, do you consider it a handicap or a strength?
On the purely athletic level, again, I think it can be a strength if we used it correctly. I mean if we manage to keep time to train and recover as well, while having another activity next door, we have everything to win. Yann Schrub is the perfect example of this. It can be very worrying to base all our expectations on our sport results only. Also for self-confidence and self-esteem I think it’s as important to exist by other way that by “the athlete”.
There are not many scholarship adapted to the practice of high level sport in France. What do you think about it, two years into the Olympics in Paris?
Indeed, France is not known for helping athletes to combine sport and studies. Some specific schoolings may allow this, and still there are administrative problems that put the athlete/student in difficulty. On this point, we have a lot to learn from the United States. During all my years of law school, I found that it was not a good idea to be a high-level athlete. I had to fight a lot to get some accommodations which are however provided for by law.
The Olympics, we get there. I imagine that you have this dream – as many athletes – in your head. What / who are you pushing this project for?
I think about the Olympic Games, of course. Especially because they will be at home. I think that’s what motivates me the most is knowing that my loved ones can be there if I reach my goal, that would be great. Then I don’t want to focus on that either. I’m still far from the level to claim an Olympic selection. I just want to see what I’m able of by giving myself the means for. If I get there it will be good, otherwise I would have learned a lot and the path will have been beautiful.
You have finished this year (2022) your M2 in business Law, will you now devote 100% to your athletic carrier, or will you take this time to develop other projects in parallel ?
Before validating my diploma, I thought I was looking forward to be able to take time to train properly be 100% an athlete. Now that this is the case, thinking what I said about the double project, I feel the need to do something else next door, and keep an intellectual activity. I wrote a brief on sports law and I enjoyed it a lot. I would love to help athletes on this subject.
If you had to bring only one pair of shoes and a book in your suitcase, what would it be ? Why?
A single pair of sneakers… I would say a versatile one with a fairly large drop, I think of the Puma Velocity 2 for example. For the book, I read a few years ago now but I can read again and again “Les vertus de l’échec” by Charles pépin. It changes the common negative view of failure and allows you to take a long step back.
Thank you very much for your time ; on what tracks could we find you in Blois or Lyon (France) ?
Thank you for your relevant questions ! On Lyon I train on the banks of the Grand Large and in Blois I can easily be crossed on the banks of the Loire or in the forest.
Who do you think we should interview for our next portrait ?
Yann Schrub ! To continue to demonstrate that the double project is possible.
