Back from Beijing for almost a week and still suffering from jet lag, Maxence Parrot is still struggling to realize that he is an Olympic champion. Proud of the career that allowed him to add two medals to his rich record, the Bromontois intends to devote himself to his future role as a father over the next few months. But he is already looking forward to getting back on his board to pursue other dreams.
“What I am experiencing is still a little unreal, commented Parrot, Tuesday noon, at a press conference. When I got my first gold medal at the X Games, it took me a week to do that. I think it’s the same process, it’s going to take me a little while. »
Gold medalist in acrobatic descent and bronze medalist in the big jump at the Beijing Games, Parrot admits that this success far exceeds his youthful dreams. “My dream at 16 was just to become a professional snowboarder and travel the world. It wasn’t even about winning competitions,” he said, his two most recent medals resting in front of him.
“Two years later, I won a gold medal at the X Games and, three years later, I’m at the Olympics [de Sotchi, en 2014]. I was not even planning to go to the Olympics in my initial dream. Then I started inventing maneuvers that had never been done, and there are still some that nobody else does on the planet. It’s an incredible feeling. »
“I think it’s important to have goals in life. […] I’m really 100 percent proud of what I’ve accomplished, and especially to have surpassed my initial dream. »
His insatiable desire to always push the limits probably comes from a piece of advice his mother gave him.
“I remember my mother always telling me when I was young: ‘When you are asked to do something, always do a little more. It’s always been my way of approaching my goals. »
And if his next dreams are not yet defined, there is no doubt that they will go through his sport, which he still loves so much.
“I just made one. To put on another one right away today… I’m going to rest a bit. But it is certain that there will be other dreams. I thrive in life on having goals and achieving them. »
Parental leave
Regarding his performance in Beijing, he believes that the rigorous sanitary measures put in place by the Chinese have ultimately served his cause well. “One of the things I’m proud of is being able to keep my seriousness in training from A to Z for the slope style and the big leap during these three weeks. »
“And honestly, with the COVID bubble there, it was hotel, cafeteria, mountain for three weeks. It helped me to [rester concentré] and get the results too. »
The one who will become a father for the first time at the beginning of May intends to give himself a well-deserved rest and spend time with his family over the next few months. “I will focus on my personal life for the next few months. As I announced, I will not be doing any other competitions for the rest of the season. »
“I’m going to enjoy the rest of my girlfriend’s pregnancy as much as possible. We’ve just bought a new house in Bromont, we’re going to install the little baby’s room. The timing is perfect. Taking a few months off is something I can afford,” continued Parrot, who plans to return to training in early to mid-summer.
2026 Olympics?
However, he ruled out the possibility of a longer absence from competition, even though he had experienced intense moments on the circuit in addition to battling cancer in recent years. “I’m the kind of person who, after two weeks of vacation, is looking for what to do. My goal is to spend time with my family, my girlfriend, the baby who will arrive. A one-year break is too much! I plan to return next season. »
And what about a fourth participation in the Olympics, in 2026? “It is definitely possible. I’m 27, I’ll be 31 in 2026. Shaun White was 33, 34 this year” — the famous American skateboarder was actually 35, and he was on his 5are OJ.
“But to say that I’m going to be here in four years, it depends on how your body reacts. I practice an extreme sport that consists of pushing the limits. After my cancer, I decided to go one year at a time. »
Parrot, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December 2018, also intends to continue his role as spokesperson for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada. The documentary Max. The fight of a lifetimeaccessible on his personal website (at maxparrot.com), is also used to raise funds.
“It’s a cause close to my heart because it’s linked to my cancer. It makes me proud, ”concluded the man who has become a source of inspiration for many people affected by the disease.