Saint-Affricaine athlete Hélène Parisot qualifies for Olympic 200m semi-final

Moment inoubliable après la course : Sara et Gérard, les parents, Hélène Parisot et sa sœur Anna. D.R

She qualified this Sunday morning at the Stade France in front of her family and will play her semi-final this Monday, August 5 at 8:45 p.m.  

As part of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Saint-Affricaine Hélène Parisot, aged 31, ran yesterday morning (Sunday June 4) the women's 200m on the athletics track at the Stade de France, in the suburbs Parisian. Competing in lane number 3, she took third place in the third qualifying series in 22 seconds 99. Series won by the Englishwoman Daryll in 22 seconds 39. Hélène Parisot is therefore qualified for the semi-finals of the 200 m which will take place this evening (Monday August 5) at 8:45 p.m.

"I am a free person and that is my strength"

"There's a great atmosphere, it makes me happy," a-t -she declared after her race on France Télévision. "I was indeed warned. The public is crazy. This is the first step. She has passed. Now let's head to the semi-finals. I'm taking it step by step and we'll see what happens. Of course, I have ambitions. I have no pressure. I am a free person and that is my strength."

Hélène Parisot was then able to chat for two minutes at the side of the track with her family.“It was unexpected and great,” comments her father Gérard Parisot. “It was great. She ran a great race, well managed, with strength maintained for tomorrow (Editor's note: tonight). She's in good shape. There's a big supporters club, her club and her family. It's a great atmosphere. Coming to the Olympics is an old dream for everyone, her former trainers, her coach, her family and all those who have been with her for twenty years in her training and travels. Her new coach Pascal Mancini was surely the trigger."

"We are on cloud nine" 

The latter is the Swiss record holder in the 50 m, 60 m and 100 m. "The five or six coaches she has had throughout her career have each had a role to play, continues Gérard Parisot. I met two or three of them and they are totally behind Hélène judging by the messages they sent me. We are on cloud nine."

This evening (Monday, August 5), it will be a new challenge for Hélène Parisot during the semi-finals of the 200 m which will take place at 8:45 p.m. Then, the Saint-Affricaine will participate on Thursday, August 8 in the selections for the four times 100 m relay, the final of which will take place on Friday, August 9.