It was gold, if not nothing.
Well, it will be nothing… Since his bronze in Rio in 2016, Marc-Antoine Olivier, 25, had only one obsession: to climb on the first Olympic step of the 10 km in open water.
The Northerner fell from very high Thursday morning in the water park in Obaida Bay, south of Tokyo.
“Muscularly, I couldn't take it anymore.
It's really difficult.
Physically, I didn't have the cash register.
I do not understand why, he blurted, totally defeated in the overwhelming heat, before going to share his dismay with the Minister of Sports.
I did the mileage, even more than usual.
It's really hard to swallow.
"
In a race dominated from start to finish by the German Wellbrock, the Habs were part of the leading group for a long time before giving up irreparably on the fifth of seven laps.
The future ex-protégé of Philippe Lucas took the bet, despite the extreme heat, to skip supplies.
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“But it's not a hydration problem,” he cuts.
I've been working for five years, five years of sacrifice, it's hard.
I had a much better level than in Rio.
The level has risen considerably but I thought I had at least a lot of my place on the podium, maybe going for the gold.
"
🇫🇷 No medal for Marc-Antoine Olivier.
The Frenchman broke down on the last lap and finished in 6th place.
German Florian Wellbrock wins gold ahead of Kristof Rasovsky and Gregorio Paltrinieri # Tokyo2020
▶ ️ Follow the Olympics live: https://t.co/M1abuDLxkD pic.twitter.com/NDirBY2bjf
- francetvsport (@francetvsport) August 4, 2021
His compatriot David Aubry, he did not even go to the end of the test.
Exhausted, the Saint-Germanois threw up his supplies and gave up a lap and a half from the finish before a small passage through the medical cell.
An attitude that Stéphane Lecat hardly appreciated.
“It's been two years since he doesn't know where he is, cowardly director of French open water.
At some point you can't do things for people.
I already do a lot, a lot and sometimes I think I'm more motivated than some.
He gave up what!
This is not trivial.
He is not prepared.
"
If he does not question Olivier's investment, the boss of the Blues wonders about the preparation. “It was a very intensive race, well done to Wellbrock, he had a magnificent race,” he continues. Marco did the right thing except he exploded. I think that we have to question ourselves and that he also question himself in order to find out what has not been. It is top-level sport and top-level sport is ruthless. We can't let anything go. Wellbrock he spent twelve weeks in training including eight at altitude, here it is…
(Editor's note: Olivier preferred to avoid the altitude)
. We are not there, that's all
(Editor's note: Lara Grangeon finished 9th on Wednesday)
. It's a failure for me, for the France team, for them above all. Now you have to ask yourself the right questions. If it matches in three years, well done. That's what's important. "