Océane Cassignol at the Paris 2024 Olympics: five things to know about the swimmer from Hérault, in the running this Thursday

Océane Cassignol. MAXPPP – Xiong Qi

Her depression, Philippe Lucas, and her relationship with swimming… Discover five things to know about Océane Cassignol, who will compete in her only Olympic race this Thursday, August 8, in the 10-kilometer open water race.

Océane Cassignol is a specialist in marathon open water swimming.

1 – She went through depression

When she changed coaches in October 2021, Océane Cassignol shook up a lot of things in her life. She moved to Italy, moved away from her family… After a shoulder injury and poor results, she gradually fell into what seemed to be a form of depression. She got out of it through therapy sessions and working on her self-confidence. “That period, I promised myself not to go back there”, she confided to the newspaper L’Équipe.

BEAU TIR GROUPÉ DES FRANÇAISES ET 3ÈME PLACE POUR CAROLINE JOUISSE EN COUPE D’EUROPE 🇫🇷🔥

Dans un final dominé par Martinez Guillen 🇪🇸, Caroline Jouisse s’empare du bronze, derrière Taddeucci 🇮🇹.
La jeune Ines Delacroix est 6e, devant Océane Cassignol. #Natation @FFNatation pic.twitter.com/gtDif2UYBU

— Louis Delvinquière (@Louis76Delvinq) May 18, 2024

2 – She is from Béziers

Océane Cassignol was born on May 26, 2000 in Béziers. She also started swimming in the clubs of Montpellier and Narbonne.

3 – She was also trained by Philippe Lucas

Océane Cassignol. MTI – Tibor Illyes

The open water swimmer also went through the Philippe Lucas school, who was her coach until 2021.  The native of Melun was, among other things, the coach of Laure Manaudou.

4 – She experiences her first Olympic Games

Océane Cassignol experiences her first Olympic Games at the age of 24. She had failed to qualify for the Tokyo Games in 2021. It was after this that she changed coaches, to join Fabrizio Antonelli.

#EnDirect #Doha2024 #EauLibre
🎯 MISSION ACCOMPLIE !
Caroline JOUISSE et Océane CASSIGNOL se qualifient aux Jeux Olympiques de @Paris2024 en terminant respectivement 7e et 10e du 10km.
BRAVO LES FILLES 👏🏼🇫🇷#TeamFrance #TeamFFN
📸 KMSP/S.KEMPINAIRE pic.twitter.com/QlV3BXKuUF

— FFN (@FFNatation) February 3, 2024

5 – She didn't just swim

Before swimming, Océane Cassignol practiced many sports: horse riding, swimming, and athletics. She also won several regional and national titles on the track.