“We rarely get used to it…” Leaving the Olympic Aquatic Center diving pit, Jules Bouyer smiles broadly. Haute-Savoyard and his partner Alexis Gendard have just finished 2nd at the International Open in the 3m synchronized event, behind Great Britain, dress rehearsal at the Dionysian Stadium less than three months before the Paris Olympics.
And even though the stands were far from full, the support of the blue-white-red crowd pleased the French duo. “At first it was so loud that I said to myself: I’ll cry, it’s impossible Bouyer continues. I was very touched that it all came to fruition: the Olympics, the swimming pool… I’m very proud of it. »
“Great exercise this summer”
The French couple took advantage of the atmosphere to sort out the music ahead of the big summer rush. “Sound is what affects us the most,” continues the man, who will also compete in the 3m solo in August. Going from loud screams to complete silence and listening to Alexis count before the start. This transition is a little abrupt. Usually there are only our teammates there, but when we are abroad there are twenty of them. He’s really strong there and that adds pressure. This is a great exercise this summer. »
Jandard also enjoyed this exercise. “It’s really encouraging,” says the reluctant hero of the discipline, who brought attention to his sport due to a fall during the inauguration. Usually the public doesn’t support us. We’re the headliners here. »
Teasingly, the Blues improvised a plaque with duct tape on the board where Gendard hit a four-iron in the air as President Macron looked on. We can read: “Alexis Gendard, 04/04/2024. But we love you. THANK YOU. “This time everything went (almost) well, despite two errors by the Lyon team in the fourth and then in the fifth jump (out of six).
“Obviously there are ways to do better,” he sighs. I work a little like this. When I feel difficult, I manage to bounce back. And it is very important to feel the support of your teammate. I made some small careless mistakes and it happened very quickly. The entire dive can suffer as a result. From the very beginning you must be focused on the right actions, the right areas of work. »
“You can make this medal in any color.”
The two still have a few weeks and the European Championships in mid-June in Serbia to hone their jumps, particularly the front quad, which they can further improve. “This will be the key,” predicts Jandard. This is completely new for us, and this was the second competition where we did this. The goal will be to create a series that will compete with foreigners because everyone has that edge. »
In the game of seven, there were three big differences between May and August. The Spanish, Chinese and Mexicans were indeed conspicuous by their absence when they should have been the center of attention during the Games. “If we can erase these small details, we can make this medal regardless of its color,” Buyer says. But synchronization at a distance of 3 meters is a direct final between eight countries, and anything can happen here. »
After their historic third place at the Fukuoka 2023 World Championships, the French can no longer hide. “We’re no longer the underdogs because diving people are starting to know about it,” says Jandard. But we’re really looking forward to working on it. »
Source: Le Parisien
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