"When I see the summer I spent in Paris, I feel like putting a coin in the machine and starting again", read the interview with Alexis Hanquinquant.
While he's still on cloud nine, we managed to get an interview with Alexis Hanquinquant. Twenty minutes of chrono in hand, time for the athlete to share his dream come true...
Amandine: Alexis, you're a multi-champion athlete and you've once again made your mark on our minds by winning the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in PTS4 and being a flag-bearer alongside Nantenin Keïta. Bravo, thank you and thank you for your time today to answer our questions!
After an accident at work in 2010, you decided to have an amputation. Hyperactive and a lifelong sportsman, did your relationship with sport play a part in your rehabilitation? How did you approach returning to sport?
Alexis: Yes, of course, because sport is an integral part of my life and was my source of motivation to get back on my feet after my accident. I chose triathlon because it's a versatile sport, but also because it's one of the hardest! It was a completely crazy challenge to take on, but one that helped me start this brand new life.
At what point do you realize that qualification for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics is possible, that this dream is attainable?
That's a good question... But one moment I remember very well was when I won my 3rd world championship title in Lausanne. That's when I knew I could do it, because even though it's a long way to qualify, as a competitor I told myself there was no reason why I couldn't do it.
What was the road from rehabilitation to qualification? Can you tell us about the training process required to reach such a high level and achieve such performances?
One thing's for sure: it doesn't happen overnight. Being one of the best paratriathletes takes time and many hours of training. Initially, you try not to train too hard, to give your body time to assimilate and rest. Then you gradually increase density and performance. This takes at least 3 years.
With this gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, you've made history, do you realize that?
Yes, I know it's quite rare, but to double up with Tokyo and Paris is extraordinary! Since Paris, I've been on cloud nine... Everything we've done and learned has been so magical that I'm still not 100% happy. But today I'm really happy because it's a real achievement for me. A lot of people think it's cool, but the Games are also, and above all, the culmination of a real investment.
How do you feel when you realize you've reached the top? What's your first thought?
My race went off in the best possible way, I stuck to the letter of what I wanted, like a recital. I had the ideal race strategy, which I controlled to perfection.
When it was over, my first thought was for my family. On the home stretch, the red-white-and-blue flag I grabbed was in my children's hands. My first thought is for them.
Media coverage is new to you... How do you feel about this popularity? How does it feel to have an agent?
Before Tokyo, I was unknown to the general public. With Paris, I've turned a corner. People now know how to put a face to my name.
I enjoy this popularity because it's recognition. I don't think I've stolen anything from anyone. What I've set up with the people around me is a "return on investment". Of course it's a way of becoming more professional, so it's obviously cool, but I've never forgotten where I came from, because at the start nothing predestined me to reach such a level. I'm aware of what I've got, what I've done and that I've reached certain levels.
Do you think the Paralympic Games open the way to greater sensitivity?
Yes, already in France, for the first time, the Paralympic Games are enjoying a resurgence in popularity. People are coming to the stadiums, and the TV ratings are very good.
Personally, I'm convinced that there's just as much pleasure in watching the Games, whether Paralympic or not, because an athlete will always do everything in his power to perform, to be determined and to maintain his drive to succeed. So in my opinion, there's no difference.
What equipment do you wear on a daily basis, in training and in competition? Are they the same?
No, they're not quite the same prostheses, because they don't meet the same needs. For example, in competition I run with the Ottobock blade, whereas for driving I wear the Evanto prosthetic foot, again by Ottobock. The blade is not adapted.
You've benefited from U-Exist customizations. Which ones?
I've had 2 clutches made with U-Exist: the first is a design of Mount Fuji, the Eiffel Tower and the Olympic torch on a yellow-gold background, and the last, the one I wore during the Paris 2024 Games, was with a fluo-multicolor color. I'm finishing the season at the world championships with this one.
What's the added value of a custom sleeve? And what could be your next U-Exist' touch?
It's clearly design. I love the idea of making something practical artistic. And I think it's really cool to allow children and adults to let their imaginations run wild when it comes to designing their prosthesis.
I often say that I'm "half-man, half-robot". For the next customization, I'm thinking of a robotic-style emboiture, in "terminator" mode, with a torn-skin effect.
I've often read in your ITWs, "It would be a great source of pride to be a flag-bearer": this was your dream. Now that your dream has come true, what's your new dream?
I'm a great dreamer, and when I see the summer I spent in Paris, I feel like putting a coin in the machine and starting again. I'm still very moved to have been chosen to be the flag bearer, and I've given my all to be the best I can be.
My next dream? It's to win one last gold medal in Los Angeles in 2028.
What does it mean to you to be elevated to the rank of Officier de l'Ordre National du Mérite?
I'm very patriotic, very proud of my Norman roots, proud to be French, and to have been decorated by the President of the Republic himself, I can only be very moved. The Ordre National du Mérite is a very fine distinction, and I'm very, very proud.
Honestly, I couldn't have wished for a better summer than this. But I've got one last goal to end the year on a high: to win the world champion title, and that's just around the corner!
Follow Alexis' daily life through her official instagram account by clicking here.
Image credits: Olympics | L'Équipe | Instagram @alexis_hanquinquant | World Triathlon | U-Exist