Reigning French champion and first in the FFA record, Louise Maraval (Entente Sèvre) has a status to defend at the Stade Josette and Roger Mikulak. Does she approach the event with particular pressure? « Non, she blurted out, without hesitation. If I’m the favorite, Shana (grebe) showed that she was in great shape (54”93, six days ago). So we must not think that it is a given. It will be a race of fight and I am eager to fight to retain my title. The indicators in training are good and I am happy to return to competition. I miss it.
READ ALSO: Louise Maraval, silver medalist: “It was written”
In the women’s 400m hurdles, there won’t be just Louise Maraval. Lisa Retailleau (Entente Sèvre) is qualified with 15e temps (60’’11). “I am happy to run with her, explains Louise Maraval, who is also her childhood friend. And I’m sure she’ll run under 60 seconds in Angers.”
READ ALSO: Louise Maraval wants to retain her 400m hurdles title before the Games
In Angers, the level of the French 1500 m has never known such density in more than 20 years and the era of Mehdi Baala (3’28”98), Fouad Chouki (3’30”83) and Driss Maazouzi (3’31”45). Fourth in the FFA record, with 3’34”33, Romain Mornet (AC La Roche) is ahead of Azeddine Habz (3’30”80) and Maël Gouyette (3’32”67), who made the minimum (3’33”50). There is also Benoit Campion (3’34”31). The Yonnais is still 83 hundredths behind the Olympic minimums, and he has not yet improved his personal best (3’34”29 – 3’34”33 in the European final in Rome), but he won the 1500 m of the Madrid Meeting (Silver event) in 3’34”93.
READ ALSO: Romain Mornet: “The most difficult race of my career…”
The last chance for Romain Mornet over 1500 m
“I’m consistent under 3’35 this season (4 times against 1 in 2023), recalls the Yonnais. I also showed that I was a championship rider. Now, I didn’t do the minimums and at world level, you have to be in the Top 32. By one place (he is 33rd)I am not selectable. If I am selected for the Paris Games, it will be at the discretion of the DTN, because there could be three French people entered in the 1500m. Being French champion in Angers would be an asset. Being on the podium would offer me a very small chance… »
READ ALSO: Romain Mornet, a podium or nothing…
In the 1,500m, there will also be Thomas Piquart (ABV Les Herbiers). This season, he beat his best time twice, (3’38”87 and 3’37”16). “If I want to enter the final, I will have to be on my basics, he announcesThe French level has never been so dense over 1,500 m. With the 14e time of entry, the Herbretais will, perhaps, have to run his final in… series.
Over 800m, Josué Le Cadre (OVA Les Sables) has the 23e stopwatch on 24 (1’48”76). “These Elite are not the objective of the season, he concedes . These are the French junior championships (July 18-21 in Albi). However, I hope to beat my record. »
Simon Deschamps (ABV Pouzauges) continues to progress over 400 m hurdles and presents himself with a personal best of 50”73, on 7e time of the qualified. « Derrière Wilfried Happio (47’’83), honestly, it is possible to do something. I don’t want to skip any steps, but the podium is possible. »
Clarysse Picard and Javote Gueret in the 5000 m
With three personal bests over 1,500 m (4’28”80), 3,000 m (9’22”40) and 5,000 m (16’11”61), Clarysse Picard (ABV Les Herbiers) is having a season which she would never have dreamed of, at the end of winter, after her periostitis (right shin). In hindsight, was it a blessing in disguise? “I admit that I thought about it”, she pours out. And to answer: ” Maybe yes… “
Nicolas Monnier’s protégé is more verbose when discussing this return to the track. “I did a 5 km (16’45) you are 10 km (36’30) on the road, but currently, the track allows me to express myself on things that I can control. Since May, I have been fine. This is my first Elite final over 5,000m and I hope to make a top 8.” She has the sixth fastest time of the entrants.
READ ALSO: Clarysse Picard, an already successful season
Javote Gueret (OVA Challans) is also qualified for the 5,000m, with her 16’24”54 from Carquefou. She can also claim a top 10 finish. “As there are three girls under sixteen minutes, I hope to be on the basis of my record (16’17’’82)for as long as possible, because the first objective will be to improve it.”
