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Élodie Godin, a courageous captain of Bourges Basket who is enjoying her last season, despite the pain

You are living an unusual season…

It’s a bit complicated, but I’m lucky that the medical staff and the coach accept my situation and manage me very well. You have to know that I train very, very little because I can’t anymore. I had, three years ago, a rupture of the tendon of Achilles, on the right, due to a bursitis (an inflammation, Editor’s note). And now it’s on the left.

For now, the tendon is healthy, but it’s super painful. It is huge and ignites very quickly. It’s complicated to manage, but as it’s my last season, I’m doing it. I want to finish well and give everything for the team.

But it’s true that there can sometimes be a little frustration because after 45 minutes, 1 hour of training, we have to stop me. I would like to give a little more, but I can’t.

When did your pain start?

It has nothing to do with my previous injury. Last year, the coach put me on rest against Charnay (last game of the regular season, editor’s note) because the bursitis was starting to flare up. From the play-offs, it started to get heavy. I saw the surgeon who told me that there were two solutions: rest during the summer or an operation, but it was 5 or 6 months off, at 36, knowing that it was my last season… We opted for rest. It helped, but as soon as I resumed physical preparation, it came back right away. I am lucky to have Mathilde (Merle-Saltel, the club’s physiotherapist) who does a remarkable job with me and Olivier (Lafargue, the coach) which spares me a lot.

Vis-à-vis your teammates, it must not be easy in this position where you hardly train…

From the start of the season, Olivier warned the group. I arrived well before the girls, when they were in selection. We were able to do several tests to find out from how many hours of training my tendon ignites. We found a balance so that I could play the matches and train a minimum. We found alternatives: the bike, things that avoid friction. The girls accepted, they don’t complain. Sometimes they mess around, even.

I think they are happy that I can give what I give on the pitch. In any case, I never had a negative feedback. They understand, they know it’s the injury. That’s why, when people ask me “are you going to do another season?”, I answer “no, I won’t”. (laughs).

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How is this work going?

Every day, I have a calf protocol so that it is solid, eccentric work so that it does not let go at the level of the tendon. I have a lot of massages because as soon as I train, the calf is contracted. I have stretching and recovery. And cold, cold, cold. I have to train a minimum: we don’t perform on weekends and on Wednesdays if we don’t train, so we adapt.

Élodie Godin continues her rehabilitation: “I am on time”

On the counter-attack drills, I’m on the bike. I come back for the collective work. We are trying to ensure that I can end my career in the best possible way. For now, it works. I haven’t missed a game since the start of the season. My goal is to miss zero and play at my best. Sometimes I play a little less because it’s fiery, but I try to give my maximum and it doesn’t show. People don’t even notice it and don’t know what I go through on a daily basis.

It makes your season all the more remarkable because, indeed, it doesn’t show…

It’s painful, but it’s not serious, it’s not muscle damage, it can’t get worse. I can play. It’s just constantly painful.

We are in a period where you are shooting at three interiors. Your playing time is substantial, isn’t it complicated with your injury?

No, already, you have to know that I take an anti-inflammatory before each match, because it’s mandatory… It allows me to have a lot less pain as long as it’s hot. That’s why I cycle and do exercises when I’m on the bench. If I don’t activate my foot, I can’t start again. The next day or two hours after the match, I limp.

Tango will be deprived of Endy Miyem for several weeks

Afterwards, indeed, at the start of the season, I played a lot and there a little less because, sometimes, I need one or two days to recover and we try to limit that so that I can train. I was very happy when Endy (Miyem) has returned. She brought us a rotation and then a lot on the ground. I was really frustrated for her and for us, but I’m sure she’ll be back in a month, for the best times.

Do you manage to have fun on the field?

Totally, because it’s my last. The girls tell me, “you only have four months left”, but, honestly, I don’t realize it yet and I really enjoy it because I love what I do. If you don’t love, you don’t hurt yourself like that

Potentially, this Saturday night is your last home game against Lattes (his former club). It’s particular ?

That too, I don’t think about. Maybe that will be the case during the play-offs, but, for the moment, I want us to finish first in the regular season. I want us to perform.

Did your injury influence your decision to quit?

I made my decision after Christmas last year. I said to myself: “I re-sign for a year and then I stop”. It was already done in my head and when I do things, it’s usually over. The pain came later. It confirms my choice to quit.

“Each time she steps onto the pitch, the investment she puts in and all that she can bring to us is remarkable. She lives up to the great lady that she is, to the whole career that did here. The example she sets for everyone is crazy.”

Olivier Lafargue (Coach of Bourges Basket, about Élodie Godin)

What was this choice related to?

I’m not tired at all. I really like what I do. I love being in Bourges. I was fine, but in the morning when I woke up, I was in pain all over. I will be 38 soon. You have to know when to stop. My body is starting to tire. I did 19 seasons in professional, I think it’s beautiful. I won a lot of things and I want to win more! The championship, the Coupe de France and going to the Final Four of the Euroleague. I have never done it.

The Élodie Godin who doesn’t give up on her injury is the same as the one who doesn’t give up on the field…

Yes, I think that’s me. It’s painful, but there’s no medical risk, I can, so I’m going. It’s my temperament, it’s my character!

Interview by Ludovic Aurégan

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