Margaux Pinot supported in Sofia where she risks meeting Alain Schmitt whom she accuses of domestic violence

Margaux Pinot (à g.) lors du championnat de France 2021 à Perpignan. L'INDEPENDANT – Michel Clementz

Before Margaux Pinot enters the fray at the European Championships on Saturday April 30, the French judo team displays a united front behind its Olympic champion, who could come across her ex behind the scenes -companion and trainer Alain Schmitt, whom she accuses of domestic violence.

Three weeks after a bitter reunion at the Paris court, the two ex-lovers should undoubtedly live together in the Euro warm-up room in Sofia, where Alain Schmitt now serves as head coach of the Bulgarian team. Enough to feel a little apprehensive?

"No, none. I'll see what happens. In any case I will be focus on my competition", she assured at the microphone of RMC Sport. "It takes a lot of strength, few people realize what I've been through and I hope I'll turn it into an asset for competitions. Few people would have done it so I'm quite proud of myself for that in any case,” added the Olympic team champion in Tokyo.

In this context, the double European champion (2019 and 2020 in less than 70 kg) starts her competition on Saturday morning against the Romanian Serafima Moscalu, 79th in the world, and will be able to count on the support of the management of the Blues.

"The staff is aware (of the context), they are vigilant, they pay attention to that", assures Larbi Benboudaoud, the director of high performance of French judo. "Now we have to move forward. We will support him as best we can."

We know it's going to be difficult for her, but we're going to be united, we're going to be there for her

Margaux Pinot accuses Schmitt, who was her coach at the Etoile sportif du Blanc-Mesnil club, of having hit her, hitting her head against the ground and ;having tried to strangle him during an altercation on the night of November 28, 2021.

The case has taken on an unexpected media dimension and societal color since the resounding acquittal at first instance of the 38-year-old coach, who denies the facts and claims to be a victim of ;#39;a "media lynching".

The battle between the two judokas then continued through the media before a reunion during the appeal trial on April 8 at the Paris court, where the prosecutor requested a one-year suspended prison sentence against Schmitt. The decision is expected on June 10.

"With her, as with the rest of the team, we are kind to our athletes and attentive to their slightest problems to try to find solutions so as not to generate problems -performance", explains Benboudaoud.

"This is a problem that is unprecedented. We will try to anticipate as best we can. The coaches spoke with her, reassured her, he continues. "But when she is in her bubble, I am convinced that there will be no problem." Since this affair, Schmitt has taken on new duties at the head of the Bulgarian team to prepare for the European Championships at home.

"We know it's going to be difficult for her, but we're going to be united, we're going to be there for her", says Amandine Buchard. "We will make sure that she does not leave the competition and that she remains focused on these objectives."

"We will be there for her, to encourage and support her. She's a girl who has a strong mind and I know she'll get past that, she continues. "I think it will go well."