Eleven months after saying it, he does it. This Friday, in Madrid, the Frenchman Teddy Tamgho will don his first bib in competition since the announcement of his return to the triple jump circuit.
The 2013 world champion and French record holder with a mark of 18.04 m announced his participation in this event this Tuesday on his social networks. “After five years away from the track, it’s time! », rejoiced the athlete who, at almost 35 years old, was engaged in a crazy bet. Returning to the highest level after five years of absence and a career marked by glory, titles but also numerous injuries.
His “comeback” as he likes to call it surprised everyone on March 31, 2023. The one who takes care of the Burkinabé Hugues-Fabrice Zango, 2023 world champion, and the hurdler Wilhem Belocian then estimated that he still had one “last page” to write before “closing the chapter”. Without focusing solely on the 2024 Olympics, he said he had good feelings but first needed to lose 5 to 6 kilograms.
“For there to be no questions about my return would have been very surprising, destabilizing (…) It’s my craziest bet but that’s what would make it even more beautiful if I succeed,” he said. declared in The team. Imagine that it worked, that I was even present at the Games! We will say: The madman was right. »
How far can he hope to jump? Difficult to say at the moment. No information has filtered out on its preparation. His performance in Madrid, inevitably the event of the evening, will give a first trend while the Olympic minimums are set at 17.22m.
