“In Caen, I will feel at home! »
After his title in interiorLeonie Cambours is turned towards the French championships in Caen (June 24-26). The Norman of the Crew SPORTMAG just come and get the gold.
After your recovery at Ranking, you continued your start to the summer season at the Interclubs. How did that happen ?
Very well, since with my club, the SPN Vernon, on mount of a division! At the end of May, in Plessis-Robinson, we disputed the National Interclubs 1B, and we were champions. It is a pride for me to have participated in this team performance, and to see my club in National 1A, i.e. the 3rd level in France. I didn’t do a heptathlon, but I was involved in three disciplines that are part of it. First on the 110m hurdles, where it went really well since I beat my personal record, with a time of 13”51. On the relay 4×400, we win a lot and it was a great moment. On the other hand, on the height, I had a small mishap… I was at 1m66, when I had to leave to do the hurdle race. When I came back, the bar had climbed 14 centimeters, it was too big a dead end! So I was far from my standards, but it’s difficult to reconcile everything on this kind of competitions where everything is linked quickly.
What do the Interclubs represent for you?
It’s always a great time in the season. Finally, as an athlete, it’s one of the only times when we are really immersed with our own club. A unique moment where we can meet and exchange with other athletes who are not in the same disciplines as us. We can support them and vibrate with them, and they themselves are behind us! It’s important to keep the link with our teammates and our club. The leaders also always want the best elements to be there to defend the colors of the club, and they are right. This year again, there was a great atmosphere. So winning the title and this climb is even better!
“It’s time to bring home a small gold medal!” »
From now on, place in the championships of France, in Caen, (June 24-26). What are your goals ?
It’s one of the big meetings of the season for me, and a priority objective. I am from Rouen, which is not exactly next door, but I still consider that as a Norman, I will be in Caen like at home! Compared to other years, it is sure that the trip will be much shorter, it removes a problem for me to think about recovery and freshness. I know the track well, and I would surely be well supported there. The but is clearly to win. I have already been champion of France, Elite and Espoir, but it was indoors, so in the pentathlon. This time, it’s time to bring home a small gold medal! The objective will also be to get the minimums for the European Championships in Munich, at the end of August.
A what course conditions do you expect in Caen? Both in terms of pressure and weather?
The pressure, it’s true that I have a little more than before, because I’m expected. But I take it well, it’s rewarding and flattering, and I don’t worry about it. I noticed, in particular to Interclubs, that I was a little more followed in the media than the others! I’m more exposed, it’s true, but that doesn’t change my objectives and my concentration once on the track. On the subject of the climate, it will be necessary to pay attention to a potential rain, we know the Norman weather! When it rains, you have to readjust. It can bother us in our marks, our landmarks, both in running and in jumping, where every centimeter can be important. You also have to be wary of gusts of wind, which can prevent jumps or throws from being modified. The wind, the rain, all that does not help us to perform, but I tell myself that the conditions are the same for everyone. However, it can be annoying when you also come to look for minima.
What are the next deadlines for the summer?
For the world championships, as I expected, it will be too tight this year. For the heptathlon, I will aim for the Worlds next year. Going to Belgrade at the start of the year, interior, was a great experience that will serve me for 2023. After the French championships, the big goal will indeed be Munich, the Europe. This is why I prepare first. Until then, we will have to manage the preparation well, to really progress in training and test ourselves in a few competitions, but without giving too much and burning out before the deadline. After the French championships, I will take part in the Meeting International de Sotteville-lès-Rouen, at home. Then, I will align myself with the French U23 championships, on July 9 and 10 in Albi. Still afterwards, there will be the meeting of TalenceSeptember 17 and 18.