Fifth Sunday of the final of the French Championships in Angers in 13 sec 70, Pascal Martinot-Lagarde said goodbye to the Olympic Games at home.
“I’m going to switch from high-level Pascal to Pascal who enjoys himself.” After two years plagued by injuries, the international multiple medallist in the 110m hurdles Pascal Martinot-Lagarde will not see the Paris Olympics and spoke on Sunday in Angers of the beginning of the end of his career.
Fifth Sunday of the final of the French Championships in Angers in 13 sec 70, “PML” said goodbye to the Olympic Games at home. But at 32 years old, the French record holder in the 110 meters hurdles was not too upset.
“I have nothing to regret. I don’t have my place in the French team, I’m not strong enough.”Martinot-Lagarde admitted without bitterness, explaining that he had hardly been able to train this season due to an injury and pain in a tendon.
Today, I train five, six times a week and I think I’m going to switch from Pascal at the high level to Pascal who enjoys himself, at least for a winter, a tour, a proper goodbye.
Pascal Martinot-Lagarde
European champion in 2018, world bronze medalist in 2019, three-time vice-world champion indoors in the 60m hurdles (2014, 2016, 2022)… Between 2012 and 2022, “PML” stood on an international podium 12 times, indoors or outdoors, at the World Championships or the European Championships, and has one of the richest records in French athletics.
Will the pain be the end of his career? “If it stopped, of course I would leave in peace but I think I still have two or three things to give”said the hurdler.
“I think I’m going to make a coaching transition,” he clarified.Today, I train five, six times a week and I think I will switch from high-level Pascal to Pascal who is enjoying himself, at least for a winter, a tour, a proper goodbye. I’m going to think like Pascal the human being rather than Pascal the racehorse with the big thighs.” he said again. “I have suffered too much these last two years to continue fully.”
