During last year’s World Championships in Antwerp, there was a moment when the whereabouts of the female French gymnasts became uncertain. In an environment known for its strict, military-style discipline over many decades, this break from tradition felt unusual and almost surreal.
The athletes hadn’t disappeared; they were simply enjoying some free time as part of a new approach aimed at enhancing mental preparation and helping them perform well under pressure, particularly at the upcoming Paris Olympics. This change seems to be paying off.
The women achieved remarkable success in the Belgian city, becoming the first French team since 1950 to earn a team medal. They secured third place, trailing behind the United States led by Simone Biles, and second-place Brazil.
“It has been very beneficial for us; it has boosted our confidence and contributed to our third-place finish at the world championships,” said Marine Boyer, who will be participating in her third Olympic Games. “Previously, there wasn’t much dialogue with the coaches.”
Boyer will represent France in Paris alongside Melanie de Jesus dos Santos, who has trained with Biles in Texas for the past two years, as well as Coline Devillard, Morgane Osyssek, and 16-year-old Ming Gherardi van Eijken.
The group is undoubtedly filled with technical skill and experience, having competed in previous Olympics and earned numerous national and continental medals both as a team and individually.
However, before Antwerp, the French gymnasts’ talent had not translated into a team medal on the grandest stage. In the last Olympics in Tokyo, the team finished sixth.
According to Martine George, the coach overseeing the team’s preparations for the Olympics, a pivotal moment came last year when they hired psychologists from outside the federation. These psychologists focused on mental preparation and creating a positive environment.
This shift helped move away from traditional strict training methods in France. Instead, it personalized each athlete’s training program and improved communication between gymnasts and coaches.
“That was the key change that allowed us to achieve the success we had in Antwerp, without a doubt,” George told The Associated Press. “I can see it has transformed the gymnasts’ lives and their daily training atmosphere.”
Marie de Saignes, one of the mental coaches working with the French gymnasts, noted a breakthrough during a training camp in western France in the summer of 2023. There, she asked the gymnasts about their needs and what they found challenging.
She also asked the coaches about the behaviors they believed would help their athletes excel.
“It was unprecedented to have athletes express their experiences like this,” she said. “The athletes strongly expressed: ‘Trust us, give us more independence, and reduce unnecessary stress. We know what we need to do.’ The coaches listened to them.”
