From the Rio Olympics to the America’s Cup to Aviron Villeneuvois, Thibaut Verhoeven’s fabulous journey

Versatile sportsman, rugby in his youth, rowing in the French team with participation in the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, multiple French champion titles, a French record for 100 km traveled on an ergometer during the confinement period during the health crisis…, Thibaut Verhoeven likes my competition.

His latest challenge to date, his participation in the French challenge in the America’s Cup during the qualifying regattas on the Barcelona course. “It’s been a great adventure. But I am, like the whole team, disappointed not to have been able to go further in the competition.” But for Thibaut, this experience of almost a year has many advantages. “I learned a lot from the team. It’s even a real company because there were 120 of us. And I’m convinced that it will be useful to me in this new job, in this new part of my life.”

Because yes, it is a new adventure which will begin for the athlete, to the great satisfaction of Pascal Garcia, president of Aviron Villeneuvois. “I know Thibaut well. And when he contacted me, a little over 6 months ago, I saw a real opportunity for the club.”

“We are starting a new project for the next 4 years”

During the health crisis, like all associations, whether sporting or not, numbers fell. “But we are getting back into rhythm. We had 300 members in total last season. And we should have the same number, or a little more this season. All categories, whether competitive, youth, recreational rowing or health rowing, we attract people” notes Pascal Garcia. And many licensees also mean sufficient supervision. “Coralie, who was an employee at the club, left for new adventures. Thibaut is therefore called upon to replace her” adds Marie-Françoise Beghin.

Which is not done to displease Pierre Soïa, current (volunteer) coach of the competitive teams and who knows Thibaut well. “He will come with all his high-level expertise and he knows the requirements linked to this exercise well. And then, it will motivate the young people. We will coach together, initially the senior and junior teams. Then, I will “I will take care of the younger ones and leave the older ones to him. But we will define the projects and objectives for a period of 4 years all together, with his new eye.”

Because yes, rowing, like all Olympic sports, lives on cycles of 4 years, between the Olympics. For Thibaut, it is the start of a new adventure. “I am going to learn a new profession, get out of the world of high-level athletes and pass on everything I have learned. I arrived in Villeneuvois rowing at 17. I am now 32. I am and I remains a sportsman in my body and mind and here, this is my club. I want to work with young people.

But Thibaut Verhoeven’s big challenge is a real change of profession. “In fact, I am a tiler by profession. I only lived for 1 year from my status as an athlete. I was at the France club based in Nancy and I was employed, with flexible hours, in a tiling company” .

It is true that during the Paris Olympics, the French rowing team did not really shine. “We are not going to have the preference of young people, like ping-pong or swimming following the exploits of the French” adds Pascal Garcia. “But the presence and notoriety of Thibaut, his career, his performances, will certainly be a real driving force for us.”