The top 8 in shooting sport have an additional task to master at the Olympics. The final now takes place the day after the qualification. The night before is a challenge - also for Audrey Gogniat.
28.07.2024, 14:22
28.07.2024, 14:32
SDA
The 21-year-old from Le Noirmont will have thoughts running through her head after her strong qualification with the air rifle: What will tomorrow bring? Will I shoot that well again? Could I even win Olympic gold?
Sports psychologist Jörg Wetzel, who is staying with the Swiss Shooting delegation in Châteauroux 250 km south of Paris, has a clear idea of how the Jura native should now behave: "The night before the final doesn't make things any easier. But it's neither an advantage nor a disadvantage!" It is important to take a neutral view of the whole issue of the night. "The best are flexible. They don't see this disruptive factor of the night at all, but rather see it as an opportunity compared to the competition."
For Wetzel, "a good system for switching off" is crucial. He mentions three points: "First, take a break, then analyze the competition again, then refocus." And finally, Audrey Gogniat does not have to evaluate the unfamiliar task of competing in the Olympic spotlight on Monday morning. Instead, her focus was: "You have to get the ball into the middle."
Peace and quiet an advantage
Wetzel sees the seclusion of Châteauroux away from the Olympic village as a plus, although the contact with other athletes could serve as a welcome distraction. "The peace and quiet is an advantage," he emphasizes: "I only know athletes who allowed themselves to be distracted too much. But not those who allowed themselves to be distracted too little." The psychologist compares distraction to a store full of sweets. "If you eat too much, you get sick."
Audrey Gogniat seems to be prepared for the situation she is now facing. "Now I'm going to get some sleep and then go for a walk. I want to keep my head clear," she said on Sunday afternoon immediately after the high-level qualification with third place and a personal best of 632.6 points for the 60 shots standing - that results in an average of 10.54 in the scoring, which goes up to 10.9 (bull's eye).
Her coach Enrico Friedemann is also confident: "Getting to the final is the hard part," said the German two weeks ago during shooting training in Biel. "Audrey is young and mentally strong. If she makes it to the final, then anything is possible."
Night of nights for Nina Christen too?
Nina Christen, on the other hand, the World Championship bronze medallist from Tokyo, will have to watch on Monday morning. Unlike Audrey Gogniat, she will have a second chance with the small bore rifle and may then also face the night of nights.
"The new mode has advantages and disadvantages," she says. "On the one hand, the day is no longer so strict because you can recover and regroup after the qualification, but on the other hand, some people won't be able to switch off during the night."
