“I'll be ready in Los Angeles”: no feat for Nîmes' Flora Vautier, who went out in the quarter-finals at the Paralympic Games

Flora Vautier s’arrête en quart de finale des Paralympiques. MAXPPP – LP/Olivier Arandel

Flora Vautier from Nîmes failed to make it past the quarter-finals in singles on Wednesday, September 4, at the Paris Paralympic Games.

Flora Vautier from Nîmes lost in the quarter-finals to Germany's Sandra Mikolaschek, vice-world champion. Despite putting up a good fight, she lost in three sets (11-7, 13-11, 12-10). There will be no second medal for the Nîmes player after the bronze won in mixed doubles.

Flora, it doesn't work but you fought until the end.

Yeah, big match. I'm still pretty happy. There are a lot of balls that don't go far. Let's say it's age, not enough years of ping pong, technical background for the balls where it's a bit difficult to go through. But it's the first time I've played such a big match against her, who is world number 2. She was really stressed, that's also my satisfaction. Then I'll be ready in Los Angeles, I'll be there. I am still very happy with these Games, I only have good memories of them.

What is the goal now??

To quickly move on. The referee wasn't necessarily on my side either, but that doesn't matter. I am very happy for the German, she played a great game, she was there.

What happened with the referee??

Apparently, I was throwing a little more to the side, which everyone does. But I had to take the points away from me today, that's how it is.

We can tell you made the most of your experience.

Clearly, right, I love it. We're going to celebrate the medal with Floflo (Florian Merrien, bronze medalist in mixed doubles) until the end of the Games, to encourage the other French people. For my first Games, I didn't imagine I would do so much, two quarter-finals and a semi-final. I keep smiling, I'm happy.

In the French team, I get along well with everyone. I take a lot of advice from all these champions around me. We are all very close. I am a bit like their daughter.

What do you remember from these Games ?

That the stress does not overwhelm me. On the contrary, it boosts me, it shows me that I am present, combative. I have gained a huge experience, I think. And the public, we will never see that again! It is crazy how I managed to progress during the competition. I did not think that I would be able to fight so much. Before, I was more likely to crack, but that was less the case. It was probably thanks to the public, the atmosphere of these Games.

You have also gained notoriety, especially on social media. Did you expect that??

A little bit. In any case, that was the goal (laughs). And in terms of experience, I knew that I was coming to Paris not necessarily to win a medal. I didn't have the level yet. I came to prepare for Los Angeles. Los Angeles, the goals are very clear. I celebrate the medal a little and then I switch! (Smile)

What is the short-term program ?

I'm going back to Nîmes, making a quick detour to Nice, to see my family. And then, in two weeks, I'll start training again.

More information to follow…