INTERVIEW. “It was magnificent!” Romane Berniès, silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is the Lot-et-Garonne sportswoman of the year

What's funny about Romane Berniès is her energy. Whether on or off the pitch, Lot-et-Garonnaise never stops. “I'm just leaving the room, I had to see the physiotherapist, I still have to eat,” she apologized when postponing our interview by a few minutes. This is Romane Bernies. An energetic woman, brimming with enthusiasm, but whose paradox was to wait very (too?) long years before experiencing the ultimate peak, with a medal at the Olympics. Because the Lot-et-Garonnaise, captain of the Lattes-Montpellier club, left her mark in the history of her native department in 2024, becoming a silver medalist this summer.

Romane, quite simply, has 2024 been the best year of your career?

Yes ! I don't really hesitate when answering you. On a professional level, as well as on a personal and individual level, this is by far my best year. I'm really happy and grateful to have had a year like this. It was just magnificent.

Was there something that clicked?

I worked a lot to get here. Perhaps with a little more maturity and confidence, I worried less. I let things come to me. I also really enjoyed each moment, but I didn't really click. I think everything that happened in my career shaped me to get here.

Also read:
Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Basketball: “We are coming down from a cloud…” The father of Romane Berniès, silver medalist, recounts his emotion

We often talk about maturity at 27-28 years old among athletes. For you, it was a little bit off…

I always heard that a point guard matures at 30. I remember Céline Dumerc telling me that. It's a difficult position, where experience is important, and I've gained a lot of experience over the years. Physically, I am also lucky to be at the top. The mix of the two meant that this year, it was my “bonus” as they say in the jargon.

“We made the final we had to make”

You have not had an easy journey. Do you realize how far you have come?

I often have this thought. Sometimes I can sit at home and wonder if this really happened. I can think about everything I could have done. I am happy and proud. In the moment, we are so caught up in the moment that we notice without realizing it. At the Olympic Games for example, I had given so much to be there, and it goes so quickly with the objectives to be achieved, that we are a bit in a washing machine. Now I can think about it all, tell myself that it was real and incredible.

Also read:
Paris 2024 Olympic Games: “Olympic medalist, it’s something indelible” Romane Berniès looks back on her Games

If I talk about a highlight this year, it is obviously the Olympics?

It's been a big year for me. There were some great things happening off the field that made this year wonderful. But sportingly and professionally speaking, obviously the Olympic Games are the apotheosis of my year and of my career too.

You lost in the final by a very small point against the United States. Does this leave you with regrets?

No. I'm not someone who lives with regrets. We made the final we had to make. Obviously it's annoying as a competitor because we always want to win, but we showed the whole world our true colors and what we were capable of. We looked at the Americans eye to eye, they were afraid… Of course, it's a shame that they came away with victory again, but there are no regrets. I'm super proud of the team, of what we did and showed.

Also read:
Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Basketball: Romane Berniès’ French team loses against the United States and wins silver

“I’m getting old!”

After the Games, your Lattes-Montpellier club had an excellent start to the season, ranked second in the championship…

As a team, things are going well. Afterwards, I'm not going to lie either. I had a not so easy first part of the season. The return to reality was a little hard, physically but especially mentally. I didn't feel comfortable and I wasn't at the level I wanted to be in the first matches. It was a bit difficult. I had to verbalize things, talk to certain people… This also helps me get back on the right path. But, the good thing is, even though I wasn't happy with my performance, the team was winning, so that's all that matters. But it's also important to emphasize that, despite what I experienced this summer, it is sometimes difficult. You shouldn't believe that it's all beautiful, all rosy. In any case, collectively speaking, things are going well and I'm super happy.

Have people’s views changed since your medal?

I don't necessarily pay attention. The opponents know me. I've been in the League for a while, and I'm getting old! I don't think that changes on the ground. It's mainly the people nearby who congratulate us after the matches and thank me for the emotions and what we have done for French basketball. There have always been kids asking for autographs, but there are quite a few parents thanking me and congratulating me now too. We realize the enthusiasm that this could have developed.

Also read:
Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Basketball: “It’s unexpected…” The immense joy of the president of SU Agen Athletics after Romane Berniès’ medal

Did this surprise you?

I am aware that sport is followed in France. These Games were such a success that it's no surprise to me that people watched and thanked us. I'm not surprised, but I am happy and proud of this French audience. He responded.

“Little girl, I was full of life and dreams”

Are these Games one of the best memories of your life?

Yes ! It has been beyond incredible. The Games are something unique at their core. Experiencing them at home, surrounded by loved ones, with an incredible audience and full houses every time, it was obviously a treat. It will remain the main memory of my career, that's for sure. The medal is warm, in its beautiful box. It is on display at home. Sometimes I walk past it and think it's real. It's nice to have brought this home, because we have something material, otherwise it's just memories. It's cool, and she's gorgeous too.

You are the first Lot-et-Garonnaise in history to medal at the Games. What does this mean to you?

I don't really have the words to describe it. I think especially of my loved ones whom I hope to have made proud. They love sports. As a little girl, I was full of life and dreams. I was doing sports left and right. They can testify to it. These Games were a sweet dream that this little girl never imagined she would achieve, so it's a beautiful story, and I'm just happy.

What can we wish you for the future?

Health already! It's the most important thing to stay in shape. The first step for me would be to bring back a title with my club. That would be an amazing thing, because I've been chasing it for a while. It's just as important as an Olympic medal. This summer, we also have another deadline with the Bleues (Editor's note: the European Championship). I hope to be part of it and have the chance to continue with this team. Everything in its time, but these are the medium-term objectives.