The Jura biathlete is the patron of biathlon. Quentin Fillon Maillet has just ended an extraordinary season, marked by the Crystal Globe, which rewards the largely overflown regular season, as well as by the feat of winning five medals, including two gold, at the Beijing Olympics. He looks back on this unique year for franceinfo.
franceinfo: This year is coming to an end and marks, for you, the most accomplished season. What has changed in your life?
Quentin Fillon Maillet: At the restaurant, people recognize me even though I don’t have any distinctive signs on me: I don’t have a rifle and skis in my hand! So it’s nice to see that people are interested in my sport, are interested in me and my performance.
The title of world champion, two Olympic titles… What can you expect now?
I managed to reach the Holy Grail of biathlon, I’m hardly surprised to get there, but it’s the relief, the pride of having accomplished that which is just extraordinary. Whatever happens next, I will have succeeded in my career. My whole life revolves around biathlon. I dreamed of this when I was little! More than having an Olympic medal and a big globe: I wanted to become the best biathlete in the world.
>> Biathlon World Cup: regularity in shooting, irresistible pursuit… The figures that explain the coronation of Quentin Fillon Maillet
At 29, ve have been on the circuit since 2013. What has changed over the years? What made you so strong?
When I go for three hours of skiing in the rain on those days, I fought mentally to finish my session because it was difficult. The investment is always more and more important, so the disappointment is even stronger when it does not work. I try to be 100% all the time, and at the end of a day tell myself that I’ve achieved something. It’s hard to have that confidence. I had many, many doubts. There are certain phases of my career where I was terrified of going to the firing line. It was almost the punishment. I tried to get that out of my head and to go and take each start as a warrior and not be afraid, and precisely, by wanting to do things.
“There are certain phases of my career where I was terrified of going to the shooting range.”
Quentin Fillon Mailletat franceinfo
Ultimately, I almost disregard what happened before, because in the end, the only thing I’m going to have acquired for next year is my yellow bib and my experience. There will always be skiing, sports and shooting. There is nothing completely upset, but you have to go into the small details, try to be a little more playful, change the framework, the training methods. These are things that would allow me to continue to be motivated. But anyway, I really like what I do. And even if it were to be the same preparation, I will always have a lot of desire.
Next season, you’re going to be the man to beat, alone against everyone: aren’t you afraid of the pressure?
The pressure, I already put enough myself! I am already demanding enough of myself to worry about the pressure that others put on me. Finally, it’s my life, my happiness… and I’m well surrounded. There are many people who are there to help me, who really help me in this quest for performance. I am not alone in going through these ordeals.