Мартен Фуркад объявил о завершении спортивной карьеры. Безумно жалко.
There are life-changing decisions.
I often wondered if this had been the case when I first got on skis for the first time 30 years ago, in my native Pyrenees. I think I just followed this trail in the snow designed by my brother Simon, like a lot of little brothers... I was encouraged by these sensations of sliding and the happiness of evolving in this extraordinary environment. I liked it. Passionately...
Little by little, thanks to decisive encounters and to satisfy my taste of competition, I started making my own track. The one who shaped me as an athlete but especially as a man. The one that allowed me to measure myself, measure myself, know who I was. To build me up.
From Vancouver to Oslo, against Ole Hannes relay, Emil Svendsen, Anton Shipulin, Simon Schempp, Johann Happy and all my other opponents - too many to quote them all - I realized my dreams and experienced the most beautiful emotions. I fought and won. I suffered, too. I fell and got up. Most of all, I've grown. Having the incredible chance to watch my sport grow. From extraordinary TV audiences to the popular successes of the World Cups at Grand Bornand, I have lived in France and elsewhere a wonderful climb. The one of the sport I love, to whom I dedicated a beautiful part of my life, and which in return gave me everything.
I could have stopped in the day after the 2018 Olympic Games had three new gold medals but still had to follow that original track. She got me good last year but this turbulence has allowed me to grow again. I had to experience this concept of resilience until I won two beautiful extra titles at the World Championships last month. Alone first and especially with the French team. With Émilien, Quentin and Simon, with Fabien and Antonin. With the whole team. Thanks to all those who have before us and for all those who will follow us.
Bounce to come to this, at these moments of shared happiness, was the greatest challenge of my career. I believe this last mission has been accomplished, whatever the outcome of this season.
My will to give the best of myself and climb mountains is always present but the rest of my construction as a father must now go through other ways, other media of expression.
My passion for my sport is intact. My love for sport in general, and the values of self-passing and respect for others it transmits, is greater than ever. It is in this universe that I want to continue to express myself, invest, share.
At the time of saying goodbye, I am so moved but peaceful. I remember these places, these faces, the emotions that have marked my career. These doubts and hardships I've overcome, these dreams come true. I leave a part of my life behind me led by the momentum of all that remains to be built.
I also want to give more to those who have helped me so much because, in twenty years devoted to biathlon, I have learned that our relationships are a key part of who we are. I would like to thank my family and especially my wife and daughters for their sacrifices and unconditional love. Thank you to my parents for accepting my choices, to my brothers for pushing me, each in their own way, to become better. Thank you to my opponents and teammates. Thank you to my team (coaches, physios technicians) for having invested with me as if you were in my place on this starting line. Thank you to my partners for making this happen. To the media for accompanying us.
Finally, thank you to all of you, in France, Russia, Germany, Norway, the Czech Republic, Italy and wherever you are; thank you for encouraging, supporting, loving. You have turned this individual career into a collective adventure.
It's time to say goodbye. Thank you for this trip.
Martin.