By Fabien Deze
Published on
May 4, 24 at 1:16 p.m.
See my news
Follow 78-
It was 40 years ago. THE May 19, 1984the first edition of the Mureaux triathlon (Yvelines) attracted 496 courageous people at the start (370 at the finish) for what was going to be the real launch of the discipline in France, in any case the first event in Île-de-France, after a first test over a long distance in Nice in November 1982.
Deputy mayor in charge of Sports at the time, François Garay actively participated in this adventure.
“It was something surprising and special to launch a sport with three disciplines. The French cycling, athletics and swimming federations were quite reluctant, because they feared that it would take away their licensees. It is a Source of pride to know that this sport was born here and that it subsequently became Olympic (Editor’s note: in Sydney in 2000). »
The current mayor of the town even took part in the event a few years later in its sprint version: “I was good at running and cycling. But in the water, I only knew how to swim breaststroke. It wasn’t easy. »
Students from the EDF campus behind the test
At the origin of this first triathlon, we find Apogée, the association of engineering students from the EDF Les Mureaux training center.
Gymnastics teacher, René Caillet was entrusted with a mission: to imagine a sporting life on campus.
“With around fifteen students, we proposed creating an event around our practices. In the region, there were many fans of running, cycling and swimming with the Bècheville sunflower swimming pool. It all made sense. »
In the space of a few months, the teacher and his students put together the specifications for the event which required the support of almost 300 volunteers. On the program: 800 meters of swimming in the Rouillard pond located in the current leisure island of Val de Seine, 35 km of cycling between Poissy and Mantes-la-Jolie and 10 km on foot with an arrival in the Parc du Bècheville Castle.
The ancestor of the French triathlon federation was based in Mureaux
“I was expecting 80 people at the start and there were almost 500,” remembers René Caillet. If we wanted triathlon to become a discipline in its own right, it had to be codify. A few months after the event, the national triathlon development committee (Conadet) was created in Mureaux. I quickly became its president until 1987. In the process, the Trinosaure club in Les Mureaux was born, then those in Mantes and Poissy (Editor’s note: Conadet became the French Triathlon Federation in 1989. The body has been chaired since 2021 by Cédric Gosse…, former coach of the Trinosaurus). Usually, we always start from a sporting practice to create an event. This time, we started from an event to codify a sporting practice. »
This famous May 19, 1984, the chilly temperature of the water – barely 12 degrees – does not cool down the participants who coat their bodies with vaseline when the more cautious have opted for a wetsuit. Beginners or experienced, everyone wanted to exceed their limits. “Some even came with city bikes,” laughs François Garay.
Georges Belaubre’s demonstration
In the very cool water, a certain Yves Cordier quickly takes the lead and leaves the water with a good lead. But by bike, he cannot resist the return of Pisciacais George Belaubre in the Herbeville coast. The latter dropped him off immediately and finished alone in front of the Château de Bècheville in less than 2 hours and more than eight minutes ahead of his pursuer.
“I came out of the water in 60th position and yet I got on the bike in 6th place. I had dressed under my swimming suit. At the time, many people changed their outfits. It took forever! Some people assumed their strength in swimming and later gave up. »
The father of Frédéric Belaubre (5e at the Athens Olympics in 2004) tried his luck again two years later with less success (5e).
“There was already a lot more adversity. The organizer had decided to invite European champions. This event is the most beautiful around. She has acquired her letters of nobility. »
Always very well received at Les Mureaux, Georges Belaubre decided for his 80th birthday to take part in the event once again.
“I help to train regularly. 750 meters of swimming, 20 kilometers of cycling and 5 km of running, it is accessible to all ages. This will give me a little preparation for the French Masters Championships. »
“It was an adventure”
Press correspondent for The Mantes Courier for many years, Jean-Paul Briant for his part took part in the second edition of the event in 1985.
“It was in Mureaux that I competed in my first triathlon. In the water, I was frozen! I did everything breaststroke. When we were changing at the end of the swim, we were naked in the bike park. Even if the organization was perfect, it was an adventure. Arriving at Bècheville park after a beautiful bike ride was really good! »
Subsequently, Jean-Paul Briant contributed to the development of triathlon in the region by attracting champions in the new Mantes-la-Ville team. “We were three times French champion and we even organized a triathlon in Moisson. »
Labels to ensure its sustainability
Today, Guillaume Freulonpresident of the Trinosaurus for twelve years, is fighting to ensure the continuity of the event.
“I have a particular attachment to this triathlon, because like it, I was born in 1984. Since my election as president of the club, I fought for it to return to the road (Editor’s note: along the aerodrome). For a time, it was only reserved for young people on mountain bikes. I also made sure he got labels. These guarantee the arrival of a beautiful platter. »
More than 800 triathletes expected this Sunday
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of its triathlon, the Trinosaurus club is expecting a great participation this Sunday, May 5. “There are already more than 700 registered. The gauge is at 1,000. We should be around 850 participants,” indicates president Guillaume Freulon.
This year, three events are on the program: a team race in the morning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in a time trial format (750 meters of swimming, 20 km of cycling, 5 kilometers of running), two individual events at 1 p.m. then 3 p.m. (400 or 750 meters of swimming, 9 or 18 km of cycling, 2.5 or 5 km of running). “There is also the possibility of participating in the three events of the day, this is what we called the FullTrino,” explains Guillaume Freulon.
Around a hundred volunteers will contribute throughout the weekend to the success of this event. “It’s the only triathlon in Yvelines and one of the few in the region. Suffice to say that it is an anticipated meeting, in particular because of its atypical format which allows racing in teams,” concludes the president of the Trinosaurus.
With his hundred membersthe Muriautin club still has a bright future ahead of it, just like its famous triathlon.
Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon -.
