KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA
The true appellation of Apu.
French flagbearer Jason Lamy-Chappuis is hoping to write another golden Olympic chapter
22/11/2013
INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
www.olympic.org
On 7 February 2014, Jason
Lamy-Chappuis will be the first French athlete to enter Sochi’s Olympic
Stadium in Sochi, as the proud flagbearer of his nation’s delegation. A
few days later he will switch his attentions to the RuSski Gorki Jumping
Center to begin the defence of his Olympic Nordic combined title, the
first of three golds that the Frenchman will be hoping to win at Sochi
2014.
“The Olympic Games were something I’d dreamed about
since I was a kid,” reflects Jason Lamy-Chappuis. “I grew up with my
head full of images. The dream came true for me in 2006 when I competed
in Turin, and then again four years later in Vancouver when I achieved
my ultimate ambition.”
He has vivid memories of the moment when
at the age of 19 he first announced his arrival on the Olympic stage,
causing a major surprise as he finished fourth in the sprint, missing
out on the podium by a mere 15 seconds. “That was a great debut,” he
recalls. “There were no regrets as I’d given my all, and I was then able
to look forward to the next Games knowing that over the following four
years I would have time to mature and get stronger, and that would take
me closer to my ultimate goal.”
Sure enough, his improvement curve over subsequent FIS World Cup
campaigns was palpable. Blessed with excellent jumping technique, the
Frenchman improved his physical strength and was soon recording some
impressive victories. Already with one hand on the 2009-2010 Nordic
Combined Crystal Globe by the time he arrived at Vancouver 2010, his
Olympic love affair was consummated on Valentine’s Day when he got the
better of an intense sprint duel with the USA’s Johnny Spillane to claim
individual gold on the normal hill.
On top of the world
After that he embarked on a winning streak that saw him win the
overall title in the Nordic Combined World Cup three seasons running
(2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012).He also claimed the 2011 World
Championship title on the iconic large hill at Holmenkollen, Oslo, and
two years later at the 2013 Worlds in Val di Fiemme he bagged a
remarkable hat-trick of gold medals (in the 10km normal hill, team
normal hill and team sprint). “I felt I had to do justice to my Olympic
title. I had to keep my place as world number one, and that needed all
my concentration. That gave me a great deal of pleasure,” he beams.
Looking ahead to Sochi, he is clear about his objectives: “I want to
defend my Olympic title and get a podium finish with the team. I don’t
care which event it happens in, it could be the large hill or the normal
hill - I’ll take either! But the competition is going to be
ferocious.”
Lamy-Chapuis, who is based in Bois-d’Amont in the heart of France’s
Jura mountain range, but was actually born in Montana (USA) to an
American mother and a French father, has mapped out a precise campaign
plan to ensure he hits peak form in Russia: “My goal is to keep
improving my performances in each World Cup stage,” he explains.
“Hopefully, I’ll achieve some good results, which will be a good
confidence booster, but I also plan to pace myself so I don’t use up too
much energy.”
But before his thoughts turn to the competition, he has his starring
role in the Opening Ceremony to look forward to “It will be a magical
experience carrying the flag,” he says. “I’m going to make sure I take
in every last detail. It will be unforgettable. And I don’t need to
worry about using up too much energy, as I don’t compete in my first
event until five days later.”
Whatever happens at RuSski Gorki, Lamy-Chappuis is determined to
enjoy Sochi 2014 to the max. “These are the moments you live for. As
athletes, our careers are punctuated by joy and disappointment. That’s
what makes sport so beautiful.”
Follow Jason Lamy-Chappuis on the Athletes' Hub.