Published on : 05/08/2021 – 06:42
Hugues Fabrice Zango won the bronze medal in the triple jump at the Tokyo Games, the very first Olympic podium in the history of Burkina Faso, in all sports. Happy for his country, the Burkinabè athlete is however disappointed with his result, similar to that of the 2019 Worlds. Interview.
RFI: Hugues Fabrice Zango, what does the fact of having won Burkina Faso’s very first medal at the Olympic Games mean to you, in all sports?
Hugues Fabrice Zango : It is a great pride to be the first to have brought back a medal for Burkina Faso. I wanted to bring back the most beautiful metal for my country and for myself. Unfortunately, it fell on the bronze. But it remains a beautiful thing for Burkina because we make history in these Olympic Games and we open the counter for future generations.
On the other hand, I’m still sad because my whole season has been pretty good and left me hoping for better results, here in Tokyo. Yet I gave my all during these Olympics. But the result was not as expected. We accept it and we will prepare for other deadlines.
You seemed tense during this final. Did you have a physical problem or were you under too much pressure?
I had no physical or mental problem. I was motivated for these Olympics and I didn’t necessarily feel the pressure, as some might think. I really gave everything and I was in the same condition as for the other competitions. I was pretty well prepared. It fell like that. We came across a day without. It’s a shame, but we will have to learn the lessons … With hindsight, we will see what did not work. […]
How do you expect Burkina Faso to be received?
(He smiles) I don’t really know how they will welcome me in Burkina Faso. But I know that they are necessarily waiting for me and that we will celebrate for this first historic medal.
► Tokyo 2021: Calendar of events, results, medal table
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