At 35, Grégory Baugé knew everything. The very high with 9 world titles (4 in individual speed, 5 in teams) or 4 Olympic medals. But also the torments with his retroactive suspension for lack of location in 2011 and the conflict with his Federation at the end of the 2016 Olympics in Rio which had pushed him to put his career on hold for a year and a half. "I experienced things that made me grow as a man and a sportsman," he says. I am no longer in the prime of life as in 2009 or 2010 which were my best years but I have more experience and perspective. I ask myself fewer questions and less parasitize my mind. I await the day of the competition calmly. "
Soothed, the sprinter of Créteil always has the flame. "People see what is beautiful in the life of a top athlete but do not realize all the sacrifices behind it," he admits. Every morning, you have to get up and be able to get inside. There are young people with long teeth. But the atmosphere has nothing to do with that before Rio. Since I started again, I have enjoyed coming to train, which was not the case at the last Olympiad. "As the next generation grows more and more, Baugé, who will be a team speed starter this Wednesday in Berlin, believes that" it is a pride to always have (its place) in the France team ".
“I'm happy because after Rio, I wanted to stop. Since I took over, the coaches have judged that there is no better than me in this position and that I could still be useful to the team. They trust me, it shows that I am right. But on the other hand, we can also say that it's a shame. I am 35 years old and there is no one behind me. I think the people above us don't see it, they say to themselves "as long as Baugé is there, it's okay" ... "
Faced with increased international competition, the "Tiger" knows that its role will be essential. It is he who will set the tone for the French team to launch Sébastien Vigier (Créteil) then Quentin Lafargue or Melvin Landerneau (VCSEQY Team Voussert). "Starter, it's a lot of pressure for me," he admits. I know I'm going to have to do my best lap and beat my personal best. We wanted a new bike for years, we have it (Editor's note: Look T20). It is lighter, longer and is an asset for a starter. The goal is to have a good time. In view of the Olympic Games, if we don't manage to have a big time at the Worlds, it will be difficult to dream of a medal in Tokyo. This is how I see it. "
The Olympic Games will be his last competition. "Of course I would like to do everything, to go to Paris 2024," he smiles. But at some point, you have to keep your feet on the ground. No one is eternal and I have lasted well so far. I have been a father since last year and that inevitably changes my outlook. After Tokyo, I'm going to stop, that's for sure! "Whoever already plays the big brothers in the France team, could head for the management:" Going to young people, advising has always been natural for me, "he concludes.