Athletics. [RÉTRO]The day Ladji Doucouré broke the time in the 110 meter hurdles in Angers

Inevitably, the passage of time fades memories. Thus, almost nineteen years after becoming the first French athlete to go under 13 seconds over 110 meters hurdles, Ladji Doucouré has forgotten the precise date of this event. It was July 15, 2005. But for the rest, his memory is intact. And for good reason. Angers left a mark in the heart of the Ile-de-France hurdler who, a short month after his 12”97 from Angers, reached his Holy Grail: namely winning the title of world champion in the 110 meter hurdles, on August 12, 2005 in Helsinki ( Finland). Suffice to say that Ladji Doucouré is happily returning to this beautiful period of his career.

Ladji, what memories do you have of July 15, 2005?

Ladji Doucouré: “It was a Sunday, if I’m not mistaken (Editor’s note: it was a Friday). It was very hot in Angers, where there was also a very, very good atmosphere. In the training group I belonged to, with about fifteen athletes, quite a few personal records had just been broken. At the same time as the French championships, there were the European Espoirs championships in Erfurt (Germany), and the coach (Renaud Longuèvre) was giving us feedback on each other’s performances. Sprinters and hurdlers, everyone was on top form, except me. I had done 13”53 in the series on July 14th…”