When did you start shooting?
I started shooting air pistol when I was 15 years old. My father bought me a 10 meter rifle. I shot at birds in our garden. One week after he gave it to me he signed me up for the local shooting club where I shot air rifle and pistol. Then I shot a qualification for the French National Championships in air pistol.

Did you have any coaching?
For twelve years I went to the training school in Bordeaux.

How did you train for the Olympics?
This year was very special because in 1999 I had a very big motorcycle accident. I had a broken arm. I made a New Years resolution to get to Sydney, so I started physical training, bicycle riding, swimming and running.

Do you train any differently for Air Pistol than Free Pistol?
No, I train the same for the two disciplines because the differences are just 10 meters instead of 50 meters.

So do you have any trouble changing from one to another?
In Sydney I did. I found it difficult changing. I was thinking for air pistol and it was difficult to change the discipline.

Is there any special mental thinking that you do during a match?
I have a way of thinking for stability. I hold an image of the Eiffel Tower (the way it stands solid). I think about it and its stability for my shooting. Also I imagine the back sight on front sight, it looks okay, and I imagine on the target a red laser that after the shot has broken the laser and the shot are the same. My moving is the same because the laser is moving. (The idea being that with a perfect sight alignment, or formation, the laser would cover as much of the target as the hold … if sight formation was not, the potential shot placement - or line of laser - would be much bigger – thus it helps imagining the “line” of the pistol stays constant).

Have you ever used an electronic trainer?
Yes. I have a Noptel. I work with it just once or twice a month. Just to look at my hold. I look to see if my group and my hold are the same, if so it’s all right. No working for the trigger, just that.

Is there anything you do to alter your training program?
I shoot with a Rapid Fire pistol just for fun. I enjoy shooting with the movement. If I shoot Air Pistol or Free Pistol I want no movement and it’s very serious, and this change is very important for me.

So it gives you more of a focus because you’re changing?
Yes.

Is there something that made you shoot better? Some revelation?
The big difference is I think. And after, I (reduce) my movement. You understand? It is possible to think now (mentally rehearse), I put my pistol in my position, I take up my trigger, okay? And after 30 seconds or 2 minutes I don’t have the movement. I think of the action, it’s very large. I think an action, it’s the same – it becomes one. Because I don’t think in the shooting position, I think it now, now, now (before the shot), and after, the action (I produce the shot) – it’s very important for me.

How did you train for this competition? (2000 World Cup Final)
After the Olympic it was very difficult to train for this competition because of celebrations, receptions, on the TV and radio – it was very difficult. And so for this competition I had two training sessions for Free Pistol and for Air Pistol just three training sessions.

It didn’t hurt you any.
No.

Were you very famous in France after you won at the Olympic Games?
Yes. I’m sure because it’s my year. And after it will be the year of Roberto DiDonna, or another shooter. I respect all shooters because there are so many who are able to win at the Olympic Games or World Cups or World Championships.

Well, congratulations.
Thank you.

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