It’s a real countdown that began on January 1 for Alizée Minard. Moreover, the smiling young woman admits it without difficulty: “moving into 2024, it did something to me… It generates a certain stress, to see the time that happens, but I believe in it. Everything I do on a daily basis is for this goal.”
At 26, the 2023 French javelin runner-up announces two dreams: to become a school teacher and to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris. The first is well underway: she is currently in Master 2, which she is doing in Bordeaux and in two years in order to best organize her schedule. For the second, if the path appears strewn with pitfalls…
It’s a real countdown that began on January 1 for Alizée Minard. Moreover, the smiling young woman admits it without difficulty: “moving into 2024, it did something to me… It generates a certain stress, to see the time that happens, but I believe in it. Everything I do on a daily basis is for this goal.”
At 26, the 2023 French javelin runner-up announces two dreams: to become a school teacher and to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris. The first is well underway: she is currently in Master 2, which she is doing in Bordeaux and in two years in order to best organize her schedule. For the second, if the path appears strewn with pitfalls despite her status as French number one, the native of Bayonne tries to put aside this infernal ticking and to concentrate on his quest. A goal much higher than what she imagined when she started athletics in Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse, in the Landes, at age 6, on the advice of her father , who had detected in her “a Marie-Jo Pérec-like stride”.
Alizée has eight javelins: four for training and four for competition. The main difference comes from their rigidity.
Fabien Cottereau/ “SOUTH WEST”
Bad luck for her father, Alizée, who also practiced judo, taekwondo and tennis, admits to having never liked running… On the other hand, she very quickly found pleasure in the combined tests. At the age of 12, in addition to running, which she could not escape, she chose pole vault and javelin. It’s a revelation, even if she remembers with a laugh: “the first times, when I managed to land the javelin, it was upside down! The gesture is counter-intuitive, the arm is not broken like we are used to when we throw something, but on the contrary we have to stretch.”
Quest for the perfect gesture
She continues, enthusiastically: “I immediately loved the technical side of this discipline, which requires deeper research than just physical performance. We are constantly looking for the perfect gesture and it’s exciting,” underlines the young woman, 1.77 meters tall. Who insists: “Of course I like competition, that transcends. However, what I appreciate most is trying to surpass myself, to challenge myself: I am much more satisfied with beating my record than with winning a medal. “.
That of the French number one stands at 57.91 m (the French record is 63.54 m). A jet made in 2021 in the United States, where Alizée studied for two years, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. Beyond the diploma, this stay served as “a catalyst” in his practice, “while javelin throwing coaches are rare in France. I discovered a very professional approach to the discipline there, while I was just a student: I have the impression of having achieved a two-year internship! It was an incredible sporting experience. There reigns in this country a real culture of sport. » And the certainty that all dreams are possible as long as we give ourselves the means.
“Whatever I can do to perform well in training, I do itâ€
If it is still far from the minimums (64 meters) for the Olympics, Alizée is banking on the ranking, based on the average of five competitions, to include the 32 best in the world invited to Paris (read elsewhere). The one who is currently around 50th place has until June 30, and therefore intends to multiply the competitions (around ten) to achieve this. In particular, she plans to compete in the European Throwing Cup in March in Portugal.
Alizée Minard alternates training between the Mérignac and Bruges stadiums.
Fabien Cottereau/ “SOUTH WEST”
In the meantime, Alizée concedes: “My life has been a bit monastic for some time”. Few outings, little leisure time and training six days a week between the stadiums of Mérignac and Bruges and different sports halls in Bordeaux. But she rejects out of hand the term effort or even concession: “That’s not it. I’m in a bubble and everything I can do to perform well in training, I do it. When I give myself some rest, it’s to get some fresh air, to go for a walk. “It’s a search for balance on all sides.”
Solitary training
And to admit that it’s hard, sometimes. “The Olympics in France are a big boost, but of course there are some slacks, it’s human. In these moments, I tell myself that I am not alone, I have my little cocoon with my family who has always been very present, my friends. Every Saturday morning I also meet a small group of throwers from SA Mérignac. »
Because most of the time, Alizée trains alone. His technical advisor, Raymond Hecht, a German with the 8th best world performance of all time, met during an internship, is based in Villeneuve-sur-Lot and provides him with training in distance. Just like his physical trainer, Romain Katchavenda, “I talk with him every day. But it’s true that there, I’m quite alone. This suits me, it allows me to have a flexible schedule that I adapt according to my own constraints.”
A loneliness that she also experiences regarding the financial aspect, without help from her federation: “My budget is less than 10,000 euros, where I would need 20 000, in particular to finance my travel for competitions.” A good part comes from her club, Amiens, which she joined this year for the logistical support put in place for the licensees. But also from the Stéhelin school, in Bordeaux, where she carries out most of her internships and where she has forged valuable links. “The school organized a Christmas market and donated all the profits to support me. It touched me a lot.” And gives him a little more strength to reach his target.
Qualification, mode dâemploi
There are three possibilities for Alizée to participate in the Paris Games. The simplest: achieve the minimums, at 64 meters. The second: winning the title of French champion in Angers at the end of June while appearing among the 32 best throwers in the world. The last: to appear in the top 24 in this world ranking.
