“It would be the apotheosis of my career”: Rosa Murcia-Gangloff talks about her preparation for Paris 2024

Rosa Murcia-Gangloff a remporté le 10km de Monaco. DR

In full preparation for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the athlete from Béziers achieved a high-level performance a few days ago in Monaco. A very good omen for the future.

You finished first in the 10km in Monaco and set a new French record a few days ago in 41’33. What do you remember from this performance ?

I didn't think I would get such a good result. I am currently in full preparation, I have a lot of specific sessions, which means that I am very tired. The conditions were, in addition, quite complicated. So it’s good, I feel that there has been real progress since September. But it is also in these moments that we must be careful not to get carried away. I know that there is still a lot of work left before the Paris Games this summer.

You will also have to get your qualification next spring.

Exactly. Originally, I was supposed to do the world championships in London on April 21, but I will finally participate in the Paris marathon on April 7. I was given the choice between the two races and I preferred Paris, it will be much simpler in terms of transport, preparation and even in terms of meals. I will also go to Tunis in March to validate my classification (editor's note: visual disability category T12) for this summer.

What will be your objectives for this next big deadline in April ?

The head of high performance in disabled sports asked me not to beat myself up in this marathon, but to be among the top four or five in the world. My objective will obviously be to validate the quota, but without going too fast either and becoming the woman to beat at the Games. There's no need to put extra pressure on me.

Even if the Games are still far away and a lot can happen, do you already have an idea of ​​your ambitions ?

Psychologically, I am preparing to go as high as possible. When I was able-bodied, it wasn’t even worth dreaming of a podium, whatever the championship. At the time, I was racing to set the best time possible. Today, given my times, I think I can challenge the best and try to be in the top four. The marathon event will be the last of the Paralympic Games, on September 8. All the cameras will be on us, it will be a lot of pressure. I also told Tony Estanguet, but as he made me understand, it’s like that or I stay at home. My life journey has not always been easy, I have had to demonstrate a lot of resilience over all these years. So today, I'm taking everything there is to take. And if I have the opportunity to win an Olympic medal in France, I won’t deprive myself of it. At 60 years old (sic), it would be the apotheosis of my career when I should already be a grandmother (laughs).

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