24th WMC Triathlon - Brive-la-Gaillarde (FRA) – Opening Ceremony & Competition Day 1
BRIVE-LA-GAILLARDE (FRA) - The 24th World Military Triathlon Championship started in Brive-la-Gaillarde with two French successes in the Elite Women and Men events.
The first day of competition was preceded by a splendid Opening Ceremony attended by many authorities including CISM President Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho, NATO & EU French Representative Army Corps General (OF8) Jérôme Goisque, French Chief of Delegation to CISM General de Brigade (OF6) Arnaud Dupuy de la Grand'Rive, CISM Sport Director and Official CISM Representative of the Event Lieutenant-Colonel Jan Van den Dool, PCSC Triathlon Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Lopez Antolin, Brive-la-Gaillarde Mayor Frédéric Soulier, Corrèze Department Prefect Mr. Etienne Desplanques, Chiefs of Mission of the 22 participating nations and local and international authorities.
"I declare open the 24th World Military Triathlon Championship of Brive-la-Gaillarde". With these solemn words, pronounced in French and then in English, Lieutenant General Jérôme Goisque officially opened the event. The opening ceremony was worthy of the importance of these Military World Championships taking place for the first time in France.
In an atmosphere of solemnity and protocol, accompanied by military music, Griffon demonstrations, rappelling and the arrival of the delegations forming a perfect square around the old parade ground, steeped in history, the competition was officially launched.
General Goisque, president of this 24th edition, did not hide his "great joy" and a "certain emotion" in returning to the soil of Corrèze, where he commanded 14 years ago, the 126th regiment.
The military representative of France's defense at NATO emphasized the values inherent in sports, such as the taste for effort, surpassing oneself, the desire for excellence, solidarity and team spirit, values that are also those of military ethics. This competition encourages exchanges with civil society and especially with young people.
Official CISM Representative of the Event Lieutenant-Colonel Jan Van den Dool said: "At a time when France is also preparing for the Olympic Games in Paris next year, CISM and the twenty member nations present here today would like to thank you for your willingness and your efforts to host this World Military Triathlon Championship. Our thanks go as well to all civilian and military personnel who support this event in these days and without whom it would not be possible to organize it."
After the ceremonial part, the competitions took place yesterday. On the program, the Elites and Seniors men and women courses with a 1500m swimming race, 40km cycling and 10km running in a rather hilly environment!
In the women's elite category, the French Mathilde Gautier achieved a superb performance by winning the title of world military triathlon champion. Despite a fall on her bike, the triathlete from Gray, who will not be lined up for the mixed relay on Monday, remained calm until the end to savor her victory. She precedes two of her compatriots, Audrey Merle and Sandra Daudet, respectively silver and bronze medalists.
In the Senior Women's category, it is the Belgian Mandy Dammekens who won her first World Military Champion title, finishing more than four minutes ahead of her Spanish runner-up Loreto Pastor Sopelana, while the Canadian Sarah Graves finished on the third step of the podium.
In the Elite Men's category, after winning three titles at the Military World Games, Frenchman Pierre le Corre won his first title at the WMC after a race of high intensity and suspense that lasted all along the course.
Le Corre finished only 14 seconds ahead of his compatriot Nathan Lessmann, silver medalist, while the Belgian Noah Servais took the bronze medal with more than a minute behind the winner of the day!
Finally, the last race of this first day of competition, the Senior Men's event, was won by the Portuguese Gregorio Marques, author of a superb performance. The Frenchman Julien Gonnet finished second with 10 seconds behind while the Spaniard Sergio Sobrino Sierra won the bronze medal.
See you today for the Elite and Senior Mixed Relay races as well as the Paratriathlon Open!
All the results ara available on the website dedicated to the event !
Highlights of the Opening Ceremony:
Highlights of the Competition Day 1:
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - F. BOUKLA / Activ'images)
