Our special correspondent in Beijing
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When did you realize that you were going to be an Olympic mass start champion?
Justine Braisaz-Bouchet:
When did I realize it?
I believe it was the first time I said it.
It brought tears to my eyes.
Afterwards, what touched me the most was in the finish area, to have met the staff and to have seen them too with tears in their eyes.
Especially my shooting coach.
I'm happy for him because last night, Anaïs Bescond made me think that this will probably be the last race for "Paulo" (Jean-Paul Giachino) at the Olympic Games, and she told me that I had to there are the most white pallets tipping over.
To see him with tears really touched me.
VS'
Given your difficulties since the start of the Games, did you imagine such a possible happy ending?
Honestly yes.
I had done my mourning for the previous races.
It's not the first time this has happened to me in biathlon, I've had a lot of completely failed races.
Just as there were some very nice races nearby.
This is the magic of our sport.
And then even if I miss races, I start to have more confidence in myself and to tell myself that this does not detract from my sporting value.
Afterwards, it is sure that we had to overcome a strong disappointment, especially in the individual, a format that I really appreciate and in which I wanted a medal.
Behind, I wanted to bounce back on the sprint, and I didn't succeed.
The women's relay the same.
But this morning, going for a jog, I was just happy to be here at the Games and still have a chance to shine.
Read alsoJO 2022: Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Olympic champion of the mass start
Can you tell us about this third shot that completely revived you, and how you managed to distance Marte Roeiseland just after?
I arrived on my shot, I think I'm settling on mat 7. I had just moved up places on the track and since the start of the race, I felt easy on the skis.
Feeling that I did not have all these Games.
It was comforting to me.
I was looking for the shape, I didn't know why it disappeared and so I wanted answers on the track today.
And there, immediately, I felt that it was rolling.
Unfortunately, my two prone shots were complicated.
I clearly gave gifts because the conditions were correct at that time.
Suddenly, arriving on this 3rd shot, I said to myself that it was time to stop giving gifts.
I sat down sincerely thinking only of my performance.
And then I let it go, it was a shot without hesitation.
I
let my automatisms take over, which I worked for for a long time.
Sometimes you have to know how to put your brain down and not think too much about the launch pad.
Then, on the skis, I saw that Marte wasn't following me and I wasn't going to wait for her.
I felt very good, I managed my race, I managed my laps and I arrived on the last shot telling myself that I had everything to gain.
Even my first ball coming out very far, I remained very calm.
And it was just on the last lap that I thought it would be a disaster to be caught.
Because I like to be a bit pessimistic (smile).
I saw that Marte wasn't following me and I wasn't going to wait for her.
I felt very good, I managed my race, I managed my laps and I arrived on the last shot telling myself that I had everything to gain.
Even my first ball coming out very far, I remained very calm.
And it was just on the last lap that I thought it would be a disaster to be caught.
Because I like to be a bit pessimistic (smile).
I saw that Marte wasn't following me and I wasn't going to wait for her.
I felt very good, I managed my race, I managed my laps and I arrived on the last shot telling myself that I had everything to gain.
Even my first ball coming out very far, I remained very calm.
And it was just on the last lap that I thought it would be a disaster to be caught.
Because I like to be a bit pessimistic (smile).
It was just on the last lap that I thought it would be a disaster to be caught.
Because I like to be a bit pessimistic (smile).
It was just on the last lap that I thought it would be a disaster to be caught.
Because I like to be a bit pessimistic (smile).
How did you feel crossing the line?
I was shocked crossing the line.
It's the first race on these games where, I'm not going to say I didn't have ambition, but it was open.
I was not chasing after a medal.
And then there you go, I am Olympic champion in the mass start (laughs).
It's just magic.
It's a moment I want to share with the team.
French medals at the Beijing Olympics
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