“Teddy Tamgho can be very tough”: Pontvianne talks about his new full-time coach and his departure for Nice

Jean-Marc Pontvianne s'entraîne désormais à Nice. Michael Esdourrubailh

Le triple sauteur nîmois a décidé de déménager sur la Côte d'Azur pour préparer les Jeux Olympiques. Il a aussi changé de structure d'entraînement.

The information did not make the headlines. And yet, the departure of Jean-Marc Ponvianne for Nice is a small event. Until now, the triple jumper from Gard, bronze medalist at the last European Championships in Munich, trained in Montpellier, on the track at the Philippidès stadium or at his home in Nîmes, never far from his lifelong coach Sébastien Bouschet.

At the beginning of November, the 29-year-old athlete headed to the Côte d’Azur in order to best prepare for the Paris Olympic Games. A carefully considered choice which is also accompanied by a complete change in training structure.

Also read: World Athletics Championships: "I sacrificed everything to get this medal", the cry from the heart of Jean-Marc Pontvianne

"With Sébastien, we had reached the end of the story. From now on, it's Teddy Tamgho who takes care of me 100%…" The former world champion (2013 in Moscow) occasionally accompanied Jean-Marc Pontvianne since 2022. This time, he takes care of everything.

"There is no discomfort with Sébastien, however, the child from Chemin-Bas d’Avignon would like to point out. On the contrary, he is even expected to accompany me to certain competitions."

"We have to face reality…"

In Nice, on the facilities of the local club led by Stéphane Diagana, the working sessions follow one another: two on Monday, one on Tuesday and Thursday, two others on Friday… "It’s very intense, we appreciate the rest of the weekend. Teddy favors the qualitative over the quantitative."

The technician, who also hopes to qualify for the Olympics – he decided to come out of his retirement as an athlete last summer –, is also a fan of speaking the truth. On all occasions.

"It can be very hard. He's not going to make you think you've had a good workout if you haven't. He is a demanding coach. With his outspokenness, it can sometimes sting but I prefer that, assures Jean-Marc Pontvianne. When you aspire to an Olympic medal, you have to face reality and react."

Minimums at 17.22 m

Before dreaming of a podium, the boy will first have to qualify. Either by achieving the minimums required by the French Federation (17.22 m, 2 cm above his personal best); or by ranking in the Top 32 of triple jumpers (three athletes per nation) by June.

"My goal is to achieve the requested performance as quickly as possible to put that aside and prepare for all upcoming deadlines." To namely the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow (March 1 to 3), the European Championships in Rome (June 7 to 12) and finally the Olympic Games from July 26, 2024.

"The Olympic qualifying competition will take place on August 7, the day after my 30th birthday,” noted Jean-Marc Pontvianne. He can already see himself there. If possible with his mentor by his side.

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