He wanted to take a step, Jean Quiquampoix did not waver.
Olympic vice-champion of the fast 25 m pistol in 2016 in Rio on the occasion of his first Games, the Parisian shooter won this afternoon in Tokyo, which he had come to seek.
Not content with offering himself the gold medal, the sixth of the French delegation, the reigning European champion also offered himself the luxury of equaling the Olympic record (34) of Cuban Lupo that he has. ahead for the title.
A victory that he savored with restraint.
How do you feel with gold around your neck?
JEAN QUIQUAMPOIX
.
I am extremely relieved and happy.
This medal is the culmination of hard work and a five-year goal.
It was a lot of work and sacrifice.
I am happy with the work accomplished.
It's a lot of emotions because we live for that, for this gold medal.
When she arrives and we have worked like I did, it is necessarily moving.
Yet do we feel calm, as if this title was programmed?
Scheduled, no!
But it's true that every day I think about it, I imagine myself winning it ... I'm extremely happy, but I don't let my emotions show through.
But, believe me, there is a lot of joy in me today.
How did you experience the Marseillaise on the podium?
I had chills, this is the first time that tears have come to me on a podium.
This is to say the emotion that it provides.
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What does the silver medal won in Rio mean to you today?
In a way, it gave me a boost.
When you don't win, you try to do better the next time.
It was five years ago but since then I have been thinking every day about how to be better and ahead of my competition.
How hard is it emotionally to deal with the final duel, knowing that it cost you gold in Rio?
I knew that if I provided the union minimum, he could not come back.
In a way, the hard part was done.
It was a relief, I did my series quietly, without too much pressure, without wanting to do too well, just ensuring a correct gesture.
And that's enough to stay ahead and take the gold.
Beyond the title, you also release the last two Olympic champions, the Cuban Pupo (2012) and the German Reitz (2016) who had deprived you of gold in Rio ...
(he smiles).
Yes, we can say that I mastered my final.
I am really happy.
Entering a competition in the costume of an Olympic champion is arguably not the easiest status to manage.
Maybe that's why he fished.
I'm happy to have had a good score, I'm happy with my performance.
You said you were coming for the gold.
Did you have no doubts entering this final?
Yes, of course there are doubts.
You should never underestimate your opponents, until the last cartridge, nothing is done.
I am confident, I have worked to make the exercise familiar to me, that I will master it, but I cannot predict in advance that I will win.
The only confidence I can rely on is the confidence I have in my handling of events.
Then we go step by step to the medal.
My discipline is technically demanding.
There is a lot of work up front to be calm with your emotions.
Afterwards, we stay focused on technique and self-confidence.
If these fundamentals are there, the automatisms speak and it unfolds.
How does it feel to be the sixth French gold medal?
It is a great deal of pride to have carried the colors of France high and to add gold to the medal table.
The medal race is important for the visibility of the country.
I'm very proud.
Are you looking towards Paris?
Yes of course, it's only in three years, Paris is already in the back of my mind.
I'm going to take some rest and then get back to work to win the gold medal in three years.