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PARIS – It was with her fifth best result of the season that archer Virginie Chénier made her Olympic debut. Thursday, in the women’s individual qualifications, the Laval resident ranked 33rd of the 64 registered.
It was in the seventh of twelve ends of six arrows that the Quebecer had her best outing with four perfect arrows before relaxing in the last one where she was “a little bit too relaxed”. The 29-year-old athlete moved up to 25th place and then remained between 35th and 37th places and finished in 33rd place.
“I learned that I was the first Canadian female athlete to compete this morning, so that’s pretty cool,” said Chénier, who is aiming for a place in the top 16 in this event. “It went well and the first end where it’s always a little more stressful, no matter the competition. But then it settled. I’m happy with my result, because it’s my fifth best of the season. »
The stronger wind in the second half of qualifying did not prevent South Korean Lim Shyeon from setting a new world mark of 694, surpassing the previous mark of her compatriot Kang Chaeyoung by 2 points. Another South Korean, Nam Suhyeon (688) ranked second in qualifying, which did not surprise the Laval resident.
“Korea is the world power,” agreed Chénier at the end of these qualifications which were presented almost behind closed doors on the training field where the only spectators were the coaches and members of the media were far from the pomp of the space where the elimination duels will take place which will begin on July 30.
It all starts from the head
The mental aspect is of capital importance in archery. In an interview, the Quebecer mentioned that she had worked on this aspect of her sport with her mental performance consultant Heidi Malo and the Canadian team psychologist.
“I feel more and more confident and I have a different approach than in the past. […] These are the Games and I don’t approach them as a competition like any other, but I have the same plan of attack and I want to see everything that happens around. I saw yesterday that we could see the Eiffel Tower from the field, even though I had been looking for it for two days. I loved it shooting and seeing the Olympic rings and the Invalides…the competition location is just wow! »
The other point she wants to change is her shyness and she will make a point of going to greet the athletes she admires in the Olympic village, especially those in gymnastics, a sport she has practiced for many years. years and in which she dreamed of participating in the Olympic Games.
Canadian team coach Ron van der Hoff has worked with Chénier for two years, when he took over the reins of the national team. He notes the progress made by the athlete on a psychological level.
“In the past she had problems with target panics and she got through it by taking the lead. That was the game plan. Yes, there will be some misses and we expected that, but that’s how she has to move forward. […] The current plan is working and I have no doubt that it can be even better. She is 29 years old, but she still has an Olympic cycle ahead of her. I’m proud of her. She is ready physically and technically. And mentally, the Games are a great opportunity to grow. »
The coach knows these challenges well: he took fifth place in the men’s team competition at the 2004 Olympic Games when he and his teammates were tipped for a medal.
The Indonesian Rezza Octavia will be the Quebecer’s opponent in the round of 32 next Thursday. If she wins, Chénier will possibly face the new world record holder.
But until then, she will be at the opening ceremony on Friday on the Seine.
