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I thought @libecha's post in the Pairs Discussion Thread 2017-18--"Two Skating as One" thread earlier today deserved its own thread in GSD:
Published on Monday March 19, 2018 at 00:57| Updated19/03/2018 at 11:21
By Sophie Tutkovics
Sacred Olympic champion in pairs with Aliona Savchenko at the Pyeongchang Games, the Norman skater does not really regret having taken the German nationality.
Born in Caen twenty-nine years ago, Bruno Massot participated last month for Germany at the Pyeongchang Games, where he won the Olympic title of skating in the couples category alongside his partner of Ukrainian origin Aliona Savchenko . Since then, he has chained galas in Switzerland before going back to train at his German base in Oberstdorf to prepare for the World Championships, which start Wednesday in Milan. "We will not be really ready, we will be very tired," he explains, " it's a bit of a bonus competition for us ..." In the meantime, in this big hotel in Zurich, he is surprised to find still interest the French press.
Bruno Massot, gold borders
"When you are on the podium in Pyeongchang and the German anthem sounds ...
(He cuts with a smile.) Of course, she had to fall, this question!
... what were you thinking?
Frankly, I had the same feelings, the same emotions as if it was the French anthem. But anyway, French anthem or German anthem, I would have been unable to sing because the emotion was too great. I feel very good in Germany, I am very happy there and I am more than proud to bring them this medal because they gave me a chance. And they accompanied me when we could not skate (competitions and galas) for a year and a half (pending the letter of release issued by the French Federation) .
But what did you think about the podium?
I can not really say what I was thinking at that time. There were so many emotions. There must be a million things that went through my head. I saw the flag of Germany go up and I was really happy. But I think I would have had the same emotion if it had been France. There are always a lot of people following me in France, especially in Normandy, in my city, Caen. I was happy for all those people too and, of course, for my loved ones.
Conversely, did you have negative testimonials from people who did not understand your change of nationality?
Some people tell me that I renounce my country, that I left my ...
----
If someone who can access the full article wouldn't mind sharing any additional tidbits, please feel free. Merci beaucoup!
Google translation of the free preview, titled: Bruno Massot: "I would never have had that in France"L'Equipe did an interview with Bruno Massot in today's issue that talked in depth about the background of the Olympic victory and it was a pretty difficult read: https://www.lequipe.fr/Patinage-art...sot-je-n-aurais-jamais-eu-ca-en-france/885594
He was surviving for 1.5 years on just 200 euros a month while waiting for his FFSG release, eating bread and rice because it was the cheapest and contemplating living in his car. He is happy to bring a gold medal to Germany because the DEU paid the rent on his studio apartment, found him some furniture, paid for him to eat, and paid for his training when he had nothing thanks to DG. He says DG will not be happy with this interview but that at this moment it is time to stop lying and say how it really was, to open people's eyes, and that since he is with Germany he doesn't have to be afraid of DG anymore.
I feel a bit sick after reading this.
Published on Monday March 19, 2018 at 00:57| Updated19/03/2018 at 11:21
By Sophie Tutkovics
Sacred Olympic champion in pairs with Aliona Savchenko at the Pyeongchang Games, the Norman skater does not really regret having taken the German nationality.
Born in Caen twenty-nine years ago, Bruno Massot participated last month for Germany at the Pyeongchang Games, where he won the Olympic title of skating in the couples category alongside his partner of Ukrainian origin Aliona Savchenko . Since then, he has chained galas in Switzerland before going back to train at his German base in Oberstdorf to prepare for the World Championships, which start Wednesday in Milan. "We will not be really ready, we will be very tired," he explains, " it's a bit of a bonus competition for us ..." In the meantime, in this big hotel in Zurich, he is surprised to find still interest the French press.
Bruno Massot, gold borders
"When you are on the podium in Pyeongchang and the German anthem sounds ...
(He cuts with a smile.) Of course, she had to fall, this question!
... what were you thinking?
Frankly, I had the same feelings, the same emotions as if it was the French anthem. But anyway, French anthem or German anthem, I would have been unable to sing because the emotion was too great. I feel very good in Germany, I am very happy there and I am more than proud to bring them this medal because they gave me a chance. And they accompanied me when we could not skate (competitions and galas) for a year and a half (pending the letter of release issued by the French Federation) .
But what did you think about the podium?
I can not really say what I was thinking at that time. There were so many emotions. There must be a million things that went through my head. I saw the flag of Germany go up and I was really happy. But I think I would have had the same emotion if it had been France. There are always a lot of people following me in France, especially in Normandy, in my city, Caen. I was happy for all those people too and, of course, for my loved ones.
Conversely, did you have negative testimonials from people who did not understand your change of nationality?
Some people tell me that I renounce my country, that I left my ...
----
If someone who can access the full article wouldn't mind sharing any additional tidbits, please feel free. Merci beaucoup!