Now aged 28, Julien Wanders is trying to relaunch his career after two very complicated years. The Geneva long-distance runner spoke at length to the RTS, which went to meet him in his stronghold of Iten, in Kenya.
It was in his new home, in Iten (Kenya), that Julien Wanders spoke to RTS sport, avoiding no subject. “Overall it’s okay“, indicates the Genevan founder, who, however, hides nothing of the difficult times he has experienced in recent months. “I am indeed recovering nicely from a few complicated years”he whispers.
I no longer had the enthusiasm to go and train
Very strong, especially between 2019 and 2020, the one that some had then nicknamed the “White Kenyan” then alternated between good and bad. Today he tries to rediscover his feelings of yesteryear: “My level is not yet that of the time, but it is coming back nicely after all these complicated moments, between injuries, illnesses… I am not yet where I would like to be, only at 80% currently. But I see it getting closer, so I still have hope of getting back to my best level.”
During these difficult months, Julien Wanders went through all the emotions. This running, synonymous with freedom, has not always seemed like a breath of fresh air for the Geneva athlete. “I no longer had the enthusiasm to go and train“, he admits. Supported in particular by a mental coach and a sophrologist, the person concerned held on. “Sometimes, to move forward, you also have to know how to accept that you are not well and try to find the motivation to come backhe continues. What’s more, it’s not always easy to accept labels, to always have to be on top, when you’re reminded that you’re a European record holder…“
You have to take it step by step, listen to your body, also accept having to go through steps that I had taken at the time…
Now returning to Marco Jäger, his historic coach, Julien Wanders wants to see the light on the horizon. “I have complete confidence in him“, he insists. The founder, however, does not intend to rush things: “You have to take it step by step, listen to your body. And mentally, it’s about accepting that I have to go through steps that I had taken at the time. It can take 1 month or 2 years; I’ve no idea.”
The Paris Olympics, over 10,000 m, make him dream, but the Genevan is aware that the possibility of qualifying is tiny. On the other hand, he knows that time is on his side, for other deadlines. “See Eliud Kipchoge. He’s 39 or 40, but some say he’s maybe 45… Who cares, age is just a number…”
At 28 years old, Julien Wanders seems to have time to bounce back. His springboard is called Iten. “There is no other place in the world with such excitement for running, he smiles. When I’m not here, I miss it.”
Interview conducted by David Berger (ace adaptation)
