To celebrate the new year, Léonie Périault, 28, announced on January 2 her departure from the Poissy club.
“After 10 great years in your company, it is time to say goodbye, wrote on social networks the triathlete of the France team.
I just wanted to thank you, you knew how to make me grow, make me evolve as a woman and an athlete.
Every beautiful story has an end, I won't forget anything.
»
A few weeks later, we now know his point of fall.
This is Versailles, which could not have dreamed of a better surprise for its annual general meeting this Wednesday evening.
For the double world champion, Versailles is the place where it all began.
The native of Clamart (Hauts-de-Seine) grew up in the Yvelines, first in Vélizy-Villacoublay before continuing her education in the city-prefecture.
Her parents are still domiciled in Jouy-en-Josas where she has her bearings.
Made at the Marie-Curie high school
A little over a year ago, Léonie Périault had also visited the students of the Marie-Curie high school in Versailles.
It was there, shaped by her sports teachers, Fabien Combaluzier and Xavier Garcin, that the young athlete had offered the title of French school champion to an establishment which was preparing to open its triathlon section.
The trophy and photos of the champion are still prominently displayed in the entrance hall of the school.
Read alsoTokyo en Seine: Léonie Périault, from Vélizy swordfish to Olympic gold?
It is certainly a major reinforcement for the Versailles club (300 licensees), whose women's section has been playing in Division 2 since 2011, with a short stint among the elite.
Along the way, Léonie Périault also left her trainer Stéphanie Deanaz-Gros (daughter of Philippe Gros, the president of Poissy) with whom she had collaborated for six years at the Montpellier triathlon center (Hérault) where she resides.
Gold at the Paris 2024 Games?
“Thank you for everything you have given me on a sporting and personal level, writes the triathlete on social networks to the address of her coach.
If I'm here today, it's thanks to you.
I am aware of not having spared you nevertheless you knew how to take revenge in training (for my good).
Six years together…”
A brilliant collaboration with a bronze medal in the mixed relay and a 5th individual place at the Olympic Games, two podiums in the WTCS (the World Cup), two titles of vice-world champion and two world titles in the mixed relay.
Now coached by Romain Lieux, the former national technical adviser, Léonie Périault hopes to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics where the Blues will have a real chance of winning the second Olympic medal in French triathlon.
