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Brice Leverdez: "These will be games without flavor"

2021-07-26T15:42:53.807Z


36th in the world and the only French representative in men's singles, the badiste begins his 3rd Games this Tuesday in Tokyo. And maybe last in an atmosphere that he regrets, but which he intends to adapt to in order to be efficient.


Brice, how do you feel when you start these Tokyo Games?


Brice Leverdez:

I feel very good, in my bubble.

Before flying to Japan, I did an excellent internship in the Jura, which allowed me to disconnect a little from reality.

Suddenly, I approach these Games perfectly.

To discover

  • The full Olympic program

  • The Olympic medal table

You haven't had an official competition since the end of April and the European Championships. Are you worried that this lack of matches could work against you?


No, I do not think so. Even if it was not competition, I made many matches against foreign players of very good level. And then at 35, I have no shortage of competition experience (smile). I also think that on the Games, if I play young players who are discovering the Olympic universe for the first time, my experience should be useful to me. I know what I know, I feel much less pressure than the first time I experienced them.

You talk about less pressure.

In what state of mind do you approach these Games, which will be your third after London (2012) and Rio (2016)?


I approach them very mentally liberated.

I have just returned from an injury which was very disturbing for my preparation but I am happy to have managed to maintain a good level on the physical level while waiting for it to heal, so that today I am in full swing fit, fresh both mentally and physically.

And then I know this may be my last Games in men's singles so I really want to make the most of the moment and have fun on the pitch.

The ambition is always the same, namely to go as far as possible and therefore to win.

Brice Leverdez

Does the one-year postponement of the Games work in your favor? Are you feeling stronger this year?


Neither. Basically, I would have much preferred that the Games take place last year, but in the end, this postponement was also good. For example, last year, I had not scheduled an altitude training course, which I did this year and physically, it should allow me to arrive in better shape than it would have been the case a year ago. year. Now, when the glass is half empty, it must be recognized that the past year has been difficult to live with, in a very heavy context. It was punctuated with injuries, different training, horrible quarantine competitions… But there, really, the terminal phase of my preparation was exceptional and I think I would not have done that last year. Iwas in the tournament rush and I wouldn't have organized myself that way. There, I was able to take a break and organize a special Olympic event to arrive in a relaxed and efficient state of mind on the court.

What do you have left of the Rio Olympics?


From Rio I mostly have the human experience, with a very festive side and the tremendous welcome from the people there. I took advantage of these Games as I had not been able to do in London. And in terms of sport, there was frustration, both in Rio and in London for that matter. Both times I played well but neither succeeded in performing, in playing at my best level. Both times, I failed against the seed who was opposed to me.

Your career has been marked by magnificent exploits, such as your success against former world number 2 Lee Chong Wei, but also disillusionment.

What is your ambition in Tokyo based on this?


The ambition is always the same, namely to go as far as possible and therefore to win.

For that, I need to have fun on the pitch, not to put unnecessary pressure on myself.

I am convinced that I am capable of it because I have worked for it.

I am confident in my ability to play very good games there.

Will the pleasure still be there without an audience in the room?


Yes, because I would be in my bubble. I could focus only on myself, on my own pleasure, on what I have to do to beat my opponent. And then this health context, we had time to get used to it. There, it will inevitably be more particular because it will be Olympic Games, but which will have Olympic only the rings which will be in the room. For the rest, we sportsmen will be confined to the village. We won't be able to do anything except train, eat and sleep. In my eyes, these will be games without flavor. Now, as I have already had the chance to experience two, it will have less impact on me than on an athlete who will experience his first Games in this very gloomy context. I find it really sad and a shame for them.

You mentioned the probability that these are your last Games, but you do not state it categorically. Is it not to impose an additional emotional load on you?


Not really. I just haven't decided what to do next yet. This is why I remain in the conditional. After that, whether it's my last Games or not, it doesn't change much for me.

The fact that it will be Paris in 2024 makes you hesitate about the decision to be taken…


Yes, it makes you think and it gives additional motivation. But I tell myself today that I feel good, and that even if the next Games were in another city, I could motivate myself too. I still really enjoy playing badminton and the question revolves more around whether to evolve in singles or devote myself to doubles now.

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2021-07-26

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