Through Joseph CANU
Published on 28 May 21 at 16:39
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In Budakalasz (Hungary), Lara Grangeon-De Villele became European vice-champion in the 25 km, which is the best French result for 28 years on this event. In 80 days, the member of the AAS Sarcelles Natation 95 will aim for a medal in the 10 km of the Tokyo Olympics.
– The day before the race, you were not registered for 25 km. Why this turnaround?
I felt pretty good after the first three races. I wanted to build on the experience of this 25 km from the perspective of the 10 km of the Tokyo Olympic Games. This knowledge will help me because it was indeed the most difficult race of my career.
« Blows received and sideline »
– For what reasons ?
A time in the lead at the start of the race, I then received a big chisel blow on my nose and mouth. It disturbed me… When I returned to contact, I had a side stitch, which forced me to stop at a pit stop. Despite that, I managed to get back 70m behind, to stay at full speed for two laps and to sprint the Italian Pozzobon (who pulled my foot 500m from the finish) and the Hungarian Somenek Onon.
– In view of this sprint and your performance over the previous days (4e over 5 km and on mixed relay, 9e over 10 km), did you specifically work on your peak speed?
This was the case from the Doha World Cup (following my 18e place over 10 km, in March). I then changed my training habits. I took two out of my ten weekly sessions in the water and instead went for a run, sprint, and weight training every day.
– You said that you were oppressed by wearing the neoprene suit. These results should reassure you …
Yes. If I am able to be competitive in water at 18 ° C, I can shine in a context that favors me: heat and humidity. However, these are the conditions to which I acclimatize in the Thermo training room that I will find at the Tokyo Olympics. In this context, with a better burst of speed, a good ability to follow acceleration and to withstand enduring effort at high intensity, I will try to be the first French woman to be medalist in open water at the Olympic Games.
Interview by Julien BIGORNE
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