Addition Friday 3 May: Tony Estanguet disapproves...

Translation: Nick Harding, Sportscene | Original article: SudOuest.fr -  Disappointed by federal politics, henceforth the Pau kayakist has decided to race for the United States where he will set up with his family next May. He aims for the 2016 Olympic Games.

The immediate news, is the 2017 World Championships will be allocated to the city of Pau. Will you celebrate?

“I have constructed my international career in Pau. I participated in the application for Pau 2015 where we had suffered a failure to London. I am very happy that the city of Pau has retained it this time. I could measure how everyday local authorities have worked so the whitewater stadium could see the light of day. The region is driving canoeing at international level. Every nation comes here to train. The environment lends itself well with natural rivers and this artificial stadium. The organisation of the World Championship is just a reward.”

Your news concerning the new country for whom you want to paddle, how did this idea come about?

“Two things drove me towards this decision; the first was my family and the second the sport, of course. I wanted to leave for a new challenge in an environment with a completely different  approach. I needed, in the middle of my career, this breath of fresh air. Having reproduced the same pattern in a context I have known for more than 10 years, I imagine I wouldn't have continued an adventure without quickly losing my motivation.”

Do you also think that you would no longer trust the leaders of your federation?

“Completely! Last summer my trainer Jean-Yves Cheutin was removed from the French team's staff. I considered it difficult to find someone to work with so quickly because a relationship of trust must be established between coach and athlete. I don't see how it could have come about with such leadership in place; this could oversee an ambitious project with the objective of becoming the best in the world in canoe (C1) and in kayak (K1). Jean-Yves was better able to accompany me. Where he is no longer there, it [the decision to emigrate] was settled.

Moreover I had asked to race all the stages of the World Cup to finish the 2012 season after my premature departure from Olympic selection. They tried to make me understand that I didn't have my place. For me, it was a 'forced' end of contract. My sponsors found themselves in deep water. So, when they prevent you from doing your job correctly, you leave.”

Some people believe that you fear French competition?

“I don't see why. If I had feared it, I wouldn't have made this choice to race in two categories (K1, C2) after 2008. K1 is my favourite category but it is also the one where competition is  tougher. It was anything but an escape from competition.”

In the end this choice to double up did not serve you well in the Olympic trials?

“No, it especially allowed me to hold a degree of high motivation for 4 years. I reached a level in K1 which permitted me to return to the front of stage in 2011. I keep my third title as World Champion close. At the same time we are second in the world in C2. We have proved that it is possible to beat the experts whilst making concessions on our training in our speciality. The other day, an Austrian trainer told me to continue, even though we were criticised, because in his country the young athletes began to have this approach. The future of our sport is through a multidisciplinary approach, I'm sure!”

You have stopped C2 and continue C1. Will you continue in K1?

“Of course, I have a taste for racing in two categories. I don't see myself moving backwards only practising one discipline. It's less daunting and this is what allows me to continue.”

Have you had difficulty in managing your failure in the Olympic selections?

“The most difficult thing was not completing the project to reconcile K1/C2 more than non-selection. Next, the most difficult was going to London and participating in the celebrations of the Olympic Games without being an actor; the frustration was terrible. But, at the same time it was interesting because I could see behind the scenes.”

Did this failure suppress your desire to compete at the 2016 Olympics?

“No, I was already used to it. I didn't see it stopping my career at all. I love this sport profoundly. I love training myself, mingling with the athletes. Elite-level sport, it's one of the most beautiful jobs in the world. And Rio will be another stage, as I want the 2020 Games.”

Will you be leaving soon to set up in the United States?

“My departure for Washington, with my family, is almost complete. I am waiting to receive our green cards in the next few weeks. I have already been there several times to put things in place with my club and my federation. Nevertheless, I am keeping my Pau club licence as I have the intention of creating an exchange between them. All the young people trained at Pau will not necessarily have the opportunity to travel as they will not be integrated into the French team. The idea is just to create a link between the two countries on the theme of kayak.”

Tony Estanguet in BMFTV (translation):

What do you think of athletes racing for other countries?

Should one be open minded about individual ambitions and freedoms within the rules?