Frenchwoman Céline Boutier is one of two French golfers competing in the Paris Olympic Games, along with Perrine Delacour, from Wednesday to Saturday.
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A few hours earlier, she was able to explore the course of the Guyancourt National Golf Course (Yvelines) in gala attire. For the first time, Céline Boutier and the other French players competing in the Paris Olympics, Perrine Delacour, Victor Perez and Mathieu Pavon, were able to try on the outfits they will wear during the competition, starting on Wednesday, August 5. Just like at home, the Frenchwoman, the world’s 6th player, spoke to franceinfo: sport to discuss her second Games and her golden goals.
Franceinfo: sport: What feeling dominates before these Olympic Games at home?
Céline Boutier: It’s an important deadline, I had it in mind since 2021 after the Tokyo Games. It’s difficult to describe, because very few athletes have this opportunity to represent their country and do it at home. Representing France and having a chance to win a medal is something so huge!
You are lucky to know the route well…
The Golf National has evolved enormously since the first times I played it when I was at the Pôle France. It is a super demanding course. Knowing it is not enough to perform. You will really have to be in shape especially on the long game. Between the water, the rough [herbe autour des fairways] thick, you will have to manage the attacks on the green! The weather conditions can also change everything. But it will be a great challenge. It is perfect for an event of this magnitude. There could be a Major here…
“It’s something rare to play in the Olympic Games. We have the opportunity to represent something bigger than ourselves. Here we are part of a group of French athletes, it goes beyond golf and it’s not given to everyone, it’s a privilege.”
Céline Boutier, 6th world playerto franceinfo: sport
How did you approach your change in status after your victory in Evian in 2023?
Honestly, it wasn’t a big personal change, but the media attention was significant. I was surprised by the impact my victory in Evian had on the media in general. I was flattered that there was more interest, but it wasn’t absolute joy because I don’t really like doing that either. [les interviews]. It’s nice that people are interested in golf, in my career and that they feel inspired. Afterwards, I have a little pressure, even if I try not to focus on that.
You are experiencing a more complicated season on the sporting level, how do you explain this?
It’s true that it’s more complicated for me, because I didn’t manage to perform well. It was disappointing, but I hope to change that and be at the top in Saint-Quentin. [en Yvelines, le site du Golf national]. I didn’t have a break in the off-season and I played a lot of tournaments. I didn’t manage to feel comfortable on the courses. In golf, there are ups and downs all the time, but there is nothing “catastrophic”, even if it is not up to my expectations.
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How did you deal with your rise psychologically?
What motivates me is competition, because you have to know how to manage yourself emotionally. Golf at a certain level is very psychological. It’s about controlling yourself, your thoughts, your emotions, it’s such an interesting challenge that you’ll never have the upper hand. You can have this control for one week, but the next, it’s no longer the case. I have a mental coach [Meriem Salmi, la psychologue qui suit de nombreux sportifs, dont Teddy Riner] who accompanies me to help me in this sector. It is something essential, you can only gain from learning about yourself and managing yourself emotionally.
You have the label of a hard worker, even a workaholic, do you share this feeling?
I wouldn’t describe myself as a hard worker. To get there, you can’t just rely on your talent. Everyone works and I see a lot of players who work much harder than me! It’s not something that characterizes me personally.
What is your goal in Paris?
I want to win a medal, preferably gold. [rires] ! I have been thinking about these Games in Paris for a few years. They are part of my goals and I am not going to change them because I did not manage to play well this year.