the future of Analia Pigrée is played on the back
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She could have opted for a summer break. After her bronze medal in the 50-meter backstroke at the world swimming championships on June 22 in Budapest (Hungary), no one would have blamed Analia Pigrée. Especially since within the France team, we had not known a single world podium in the back category since Laure Manaudou, adorned with silver in the 100 meters in 2007.
But for the native of Cayenne (Guyana), 21, there was no question of ignoring the European championships, from August 11 to 17, in Rome. “I’m going because I can potentially win gold, and hear a Marseillaise ! »supports the resident of the National Center for Altitude Training in Font-Romeu (Pyrénées-Orientales).
The highest step of the podium, Analia Pigrée only missed it by a breath during the final of the 50 meters backstroke, in Budapest: nine hundredths separated her from the world champion, the Canadian Kylie Masse. In Rome, her main European competitor will be the Briton Medi Harris, who was ranked seventh at the Worlds, thirty-two hundredths from the French.
“Analia is one of the best in the world in the 50m backstroke, advances Philippe Schweitzer, his coach at Font-Romeu. She had to confirm this in a situation of international competition: she did it. In Rome, she is aiming for the title, but you have to know how to remain humble. If the Europeans weren’t there in Budapest, that doesn’t mean they won’t be in Italy. »
Hard years in Font-Romeu
For Analia Pigrée, everything has always been about success. Too far ahead of the adversity encountered during Guyanese competitions, the swimmer cultivated her desire for excellence by choosing, as a teenager, to settle in the Pyrenees. For the ultramarine, the first years at Font-Romeu were tough.
“The first semester was quiet, but at the end of the year it was very hard, trace the folder. I missed my family, to whom I am very close. Finally, I remembered the sacrifice made by my parents, and I made this ordeal a strength. »
“Leaving her family at 16, having to function in total autonomy at the other end of the Atlantic… She simply has exceptional courage, greets Philippe Schweitzer about the one who is the youngest of three siblings. She is a woman full of resources and energy, who always gives herself the means to achieve her goal. »
This strength of character allowed the swimmer to distinguish herself in a specialty that she hardly appreciated. When she left the CNEA de Font-Romeu hopefuls center to join her current coach’s group, she had to give up her favorite strokes, the crawl and the butterfly, for the backstroke three years ago. “She could more easily pull out of the game there”assures Philippe Schweitzer.
“Philippe told me one day that we were going to do backstroke, remembers the young swimmer. Since then, I’m back! But before that, every time we did it in practice, I won’t hide it, I was hanging out on the line [rires]. Finally, it is a stroke that I appreciate. »
For the 2024 Olympics, “we will have to move! »
Today, Analia Pigrée shares this discipline with other young French swimmers. And if alone Emma Terebo (5e in the 100-meter backstroke final) accompanied him to Budapest, Les Bleues will go to Rome with two new faces: Pauline Mahieu and Mary-Ambre Moluh, a 16-year-old prodigy. “With Emma, in Budapest, we encouraged each other, since we weren’t in the same series, portrays Analia Pigree. In this group, it’s a lot of friendship, very little adversity. »
This relaxed climate does not make him forget the competition to come to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024. Especially since his flagship distance, the 50 meters, is not Olympic. “From September, we will project ourselves on the 100 meters, emphasizes Philippe Schweitzer. Hoping there are no obstacles, like his left shoulder injury this year. It is not made for the 200 meters, but why not explore other areas? In any case, I think his future will be on his back. »
” With Philippe, we discussed the possibility of redoing the crawl, smiles the Guyanese. Paris is in two years, it may seem far away, but it happens quickly… Budapest was the first step, a revelation, for the group and for me. In two years, I see myself qualified for the Games and why not win a final, that would be not bad! Afterwards, there are four of us in the back, we will have to move! »
In any case, the backstroker intends to follow in the footsteps of another Guyanese, Malia Metella, silver medalist in the 50-meter freestyle at the Athens Olympics in 2004. “I met her during the internship before Budapest, she gave us the hats, which was very symbolic, she recalls. I find myself a little in it. She is very inspiring, as a Guyanese. His victories give me an extra chance to tell myself that I can do it too. » Before glimpsing an Olympic medal, Analia Pigrée will set off for the European Championships to try to complete an already successful year.
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