In the corridors of Hayward Field in Eugene, where the World Championships in Athletics opened on Friday evening, Pierre-Jean Vazel leans on his crutches.
The fault of a fracture of the 5th metatarsal which occurred the day before his departure for Oregon.
But the trainer is smiling, especially since his colt, Quentin Bigot, did not hesitate to qualify for the hammer final, achieving 77.95 m on his second attempt (the qualification limit was 77 .50m).
The vice-world champion of Doha in 2019, will try to get on the podium again, Saturday evening (start of the competition at 9 p.m. French).
“I felt good, even if the qualifications are always more complicated for me than the final, it's never a moment of pleasure, underlines Quentin Bigot.
A final is a game, we give everything we have.
Qualifications, there is always a bit of stress.
I just did my job.
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Before approaching the final, Quentin Bigot planned to rest in his room at the University of Oregon, where all the athletes (except the Americans) are housed, just a few hundred from the stadium.
"I'm going to recover, go see the physiotherapists, have a coffee and debrief with Pierre-Jean (Editor's note: Vazel).
We must occupy these days of waiting.
“Whoever has already launched twice beyond 80m this summer will be on the podium, even if the level is particularly dense.
“I'm in good shape, but nothing is done because we are six for three medals.
Several made 79 m in qualifying, it's not the time when you have to be strong, but it shows that there is level.
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