Since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, slalom racer Yves Bourhis no longer presents himself to the Senegalese. A finalist in this competition, he came close to winning the second Olympic medal for Senegal, the country he has represented since 2015. In an interview with Wiwsporthe reveals more than ever about his history with kayaking, which he started practicing at the age of 7. Blood and water ties, the 26-year-old athlete tells us everything.
You became a ceist thanks to your dad, can you tell us your story?
My father is a fisherman and he wanted me and my brother to do a water sport. He decided to enroll my brother in the Quimper Cornouaille canoe-kayak club. And at the end of the first year, my brother and my parents really liked it, so he (my father) decided to enroll me the following year. For the first year, I didn’t like it very much. I wanted to stop and my parents forced me a little and it was after the second year that I appreciated the atmosphere much more and I decided to continue.
What was the trigger to continue?
What is complicated with Kayaking is the weather. When you start a water sport, you are more confronted with wind, rain, cold, as well as extreme heat on the water. It’s not very pleasant when you’re a child, when you’re 7-8 years old… I became better equipped, I accepted the temperatures more, I made friends and I liked kayaking.
What is your relationship with your big brother, Jean-Pierre Bourhis, whom you faced to qualify? How does this happen on a daily basis? No longer a friend or no longer a rival?
I don’t see him as a rival at all. He’s more of a friend. We have a very brotherly relationship. When we are in competitions, we always stay together. We watch the courses together, we encourage each other whenever we can. I had the opportunity to talk a lot with him about the Olympics to succeed in performing at my best.
You both chose to represent Senegal. How was this done?
The story for me began in 2015 when I competed in the French Junior Championships. The first three were automatically qualified for the French Junior Team. I finished 3e and there is the DTN who came to ask me if I wanted to compete in the European Championships. I told him that I had neither the desire nor the wish. And it was after that I played in the first World Championship with Senegal.
You were 17 years old at the time, what feeling did you have representing the colors of Senegal?
A lot of stress, I had a lot of pressure. I was very proud to represent Senegal and Africa. I hope that I will have the opportunity to do this several times, for as long as possible.
wiwsport.com
