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

La médaille de Munich a changé beaucoup de choses. MAXPP – Marius Becker

Médaillé de bronze européen l’été dernier à Munich, le Nîmois espère faire aussi bien en Hongrie.

What assessment do you draw from your start to the season ?

Remarkable. Afterwards, it got a little dull due to heel pain which deprived me of the indoor season. We were still able to work. During the last phase of preparation, after the French Elite Championships (end of July), I was able to jump without pain. This hasn't happened since January. I arrive in Budapest with confidence.

Also read: World Athletics Championships: ten days in Budapest to be ready for 2024 in Paris

Has the medal (bronze) from Munich, during the last European Championships (2022), changed you??

A medal helps a lot. Financially in particular. I am more comfortable from this point of view. But for me, it’s above all a weight less. I sacrificed everything to get this medal. She helps me a lot. We saw it during my recovery. Eight months later, I beat my record (17.20 m). Yes, there has been a big psychological change. I can't wait to see how I react during Worlds.

Where are you globally ?

There are three athletes who are above the rest today. Behind, we are all there, between 17.20 m and 17.50 m. If there is a misstep from the leaders… We're ready to go scratch a charm.

You often find yourself biting on jumps. How to handle this in qualifying ?

We managed it on a technical level. We did a lot of moose races. We imagined several scenarios and put in place strategies for me to adapt. I also worked a lot psychologically, on a daily basis, to get rid of this problem.

Triple jump qualifications at 7:35 p.m. Pontvianne must jump 17.15 m or place in the twelve best.