Léa Vidal: “I came to Lyon to have fun”
The 19-year-old Villeneuvoise became vice-champion of France high jump hope in Lyon, exploding in passing her record for the season. It is now the symbolic bar of 1.80 m.
A little nugget from Stade Villeneuvois, Léa Vidal was recently crowned vice-champion of France hopeful in indoor high jump, in Lyon. A start to the year with a bang for this 19-year-old athlete whose room for improvement is still significant.
Do you expect this beautiful silver medal at the French championships?
In fact, I had put the athletics competitions on hold to focus on my second-year Staps license exams with a physio option in Montpellier. Car unlike sports like football or rugby, we do not live from athletics. You also have to think about your professional career. So I had moved to Lyon to simply have fun and to have fun.
With all the same a minimum of preparation?
I had just participated in the championships of New Aquitaine in Bordeaux and Occitanie in Bompas to gauge myself and to take some benchmarks.
And a little star watched over you during this national competition?
As soon as I warmed up in the morning, I felt good. I was relaxed and I had no small physical glitches. Then, I have a great competition, succeeding in all my first jumps up to 1.73 m. I’m leading the contest until the very last try of another athlete who manages to clear that height.
You must be torn between joy but also a little frustration?
No, I’m really happy with my silver medal and I’m also delighted for the French champion from Troyes whom I know well and whom I also appreciate. I knew she had the potential to go for the title.
This silver medal, you obviously dedicate it to all the educators of Stade Villeneuvois, have you made progress and growth?
Of course. Moreover, just after the competition in Lyon, I sent an SMS to Jean-Pierre (the president of Stade Villeneuvois) who was delighted for me.
What are your medium-term objectives now?
I just finished the first of my parts in the first semester and I have a good chance of being admitted to a school of physio next year. Now, until April 19, I will devote myself entirely to the second semester games. Then, I would like to beat my personal best which is currently at 1.76 m. I want to cross the symbolic bar of 1.80 m. Finally, I will be aiming for a gold medal during the French U23 championships for the summer season which will take place on July 9 and 10 in Albi.