The tale of Jean-Simon Desgagnés at the World Athletics Championships continued this afternoon in Budapest as he finished 8the th place in the 3000 m steeplechase and thus secured 3rd placee best Canadian performance in history.
• Also read: In the final of Tuesday’s 3000m steeplechase at the World Championships in Budapest: the incredible journey of Jean-Simon Desgagnés
“It’s really incredible and I’m struggling to believe it,” Desgagnés said on the bus that took him back to the hotel after the race. It will be a few weeks before I come down from my cloud. It’s crazy to realize I’m 8e in the world. It was an achievement to reach the final, but I still had big ambitions. When I started, I had no complexes. 4 seconds from 3e Position, I proved I had my place.
With a time of 8 minutes, 15 and 58 seconds, he beat his personal best by almost two seconds (8 minutes, 17 and 40 seconds) and set a new Quebec mark. “It’s insane to put my name in the book of the greats of Canadian steeplechase history,” said the author of a 36e Place last year at the World Championships in Oregon. It’s strange to join people who have shaped our sport. I’ve been longing for this moment for some time and it will drive me for years to come. I ran skillfully by staying in the inner corridor. It’s a message I’m sending that Quebecers and Canadians can compete with the best in the 3000m steeplechase.
In Canadian history, Graeme Fell achieved the best result at the World Championships with a 5e took place in Rome in 1987. For his part, Matthew Hughes took 6th placee In Moscow in 2013, when he set a new Canadian record of 8 minutes, 11 seconds and 64 seconds, which still stands, and in London in 2017. Fell holds the second fastest time among Canadians with a time of 8:12:58 in 1985.
Reigning champion and Tokyo 2021 Olympic gold medalist, Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali won with a time of 8 minutes, 3 seconds and 53 seconds. In the sprint he beat the Ethiopian Lamecha Girma (8 minutes, 05 seconds and 44 seconds), who is the world record holder.
A fulfilled coach
As a member of the Canadian team for these worlds, the personal trainer was smitten by Desgagnés. “It’s a dream scenario,” summarized Félix-Antoine Lapointe. At our pre-race pre-race meeting, we said the goal was the top 8. It was ambitious, but it worked. It’s one thing to say it, but another to do it. We are happy and proud.”
His ticket to the Olympics
This performance secured Desgagnés his place in Paris, even though he missed the Olympic norm of 8 minutes and 15 seconds. “If you finish in the top 8 in the World Championship, the payoff in terms of points is that Jean-Simon will end up in the top 15 in the international rankings,” explained Lapointe. Staying among the 36 riders selected for Paris will not be a problem.
“It is a luxury to know that I qualify for Paris and it takes a load off my shoulders to add to the 25-year-old medical student. My goal is to keep improving my personal best and still reach the final in Paris.”
His parents are present in Hungary
Desgagnés had the opportunity to perform in front of his parents, who had traveled to Hungary and were sitting in the front row to witness their son’s exploit. “My parents have been my biggest supporters from day one,” he said. It’s reassuring to see them there, as is my athletics family with Félix-Antoine and Charles (Philibert-Thiboutot).
After dinner together, Desgagnés wanted to discover the Hungarian capital. “I will explore Budapest, which hides many mysteries.”
Avid beer trailblazer. Friendly student. Tv geek. Coffee junkie. Total writer. Hipster-friendly internet practitioner. Pop culture fanatic.
