”I saw a Nafi who is really motivated, who is in an incredibly positive flow again, who laughs and enjoys her training”, summarizes the Ghent resident, who shared a few tumbles on the track with her trainer Michaël Van der Plaetsen and her. “Nafi is also very well surrounded from a medical point of view. Her approach to training is a little different, which makes sense considering she's entering her third Olympic campaign and is at an older age. Yes, she is really in a good dynamic with a lot of confidence.”
The fact that Nafi Thiam is waiting the European Championships in Rome in Juneto try to qualify for the Paris Games does not worry the former athlete.
It makes more sense to have just one peak in form this summer.
“No way ! It is more logical to have a single peak of form this summer, to follow the Euro and the Olympics, than to have two. From the moment this choice was made, it is normal for Nafi to return to school quite late. And she must not already be 100% in Rome”continues Cédric van Branteghem.
Who doesn't seem to find this a risky strategy, in the event of injury for example, while the qualification period ends on June 30.
”High-level sport always involves risks. But then, athletes should no longer compete”, believes Van Banteghem. “An injury is not desirable for anyone, it is always a tragedy. Personally, I sincerely think that, in his situation, being in peak form is a good plan.”
For his part, the president of the COIB Jean-Michel Saive highlights “trust” that he has in Nafi Thiam.
”She is calm, she is serene. Mentally everything is fine, physically too. We are reassured and we trust himhe emphasizes. She is a top level athlete, the only one who has done back-to-back and obviously we hope she will be in Paris!”
