Fred Vergnoux: “We have been without water for nine weeks; in that we will be champions”

The head of the Spanish swimming team believes that it is necessary for the swimmers to return to the pool as soon as possible: “I cannot understand why there is so much difference between the footballer and the other athletes”

The head of the Spanish swimming team, Fred Vergnoux, expressed this Tuesday his wish that the athletes can return to training in the pool soon, “after nine weeks without water.”

During his intervention at Santander Talks 123aCorrer, the French technician considered that this “mandatory reset” It is allowing its swimmers to improve in aspects such as flexibility, while noting the need to return to the water as soon as possible since every week it supposes the loss of eight percent of the specific force.

“This is the ninth week without a pool. Never has a swimmer been out of his range for so long. Typically, a swimmer spends 4-6 hours a day in the water. These days have been tremendously frustrating, “he acknowledged.

Although it was “fortunate to have more time to prepare for the Olympic Games”, Fred Vergnoux insisted on requesting the return of the swimmers to the High Performance Center in Madrid, Sant Cugat or Sierra Nevada. In this sense, he pointed out that the protocol of the Royal Spanish Swimming Federation (RFEN) It contemplates a safety distance of “five meters” between the swimmers, more than what the government asks the citizen during the de-escalation.

Entering the comparison with other places, Vergnoux indicated that “there are countries in which the swimmers have not stopped”. “In Sweden or Denmark They started swimming a couple of days ago, but in Germany they haven't stopped training. In Italy they are swimming. In Australia they have been able to swim in the sea and in the pool. We have been without water for nine weeks; in that we are going to be champions, “he stressed.

800 kilometers less

The head of the Spanish swimming team also explained that these nine weeks of confinement represent 800 fewer kilometers of swimming. In the absence of water, they have been working on other aspects to avoid losing muscle tone or physical condition. “We have not wasted time, on the contrary,” he said. “We are trying to make them win in some aspects, like flexibility, core or strength. Athletes will return to be better in these specific areas, but with 800 kilometers less swimming, “he said.

Asked for Mireia Belmonte, the great figure of the Spanish swimming with four Olympic medals, Fred Vergnoux revealed that his intention is to return to the competition “ready to be on top”.

“It has been a difficult time, because at the beginning we did not understand what was happening. We had the team in Sierra Nevada and from one day to the next we returned home in a minibs. Suddenly, you are home alone. The first part has We have been looking for a swimming pool, and that is why we have received many clubs. When we really had the news that the Olympic Games were going to 2021 we have breathed again and assimilated what was coming. Mireia left a difficult summer, with two World Cup finals. That in Mireia's profile is fine, but it was not what she wanted. This crisis, which occurred three weeks before the National Open, where people qualified for the Games, was fully involved. We will have to repeat it next year. Mireia will have more time to prepare. That is lucky; now we have to understand it and take advantage of it “, reflected Vergnoux, who has already spent ten seasons contributing to the development of the swimmer from Badalona.

“Mireia didn't know what she was going to do after the Games. We had four months left until Tokyo; now they are 14. We really like the idea of ​​having more time to prepare for the Olympic Games. Normally one season is 12 months, now we have 14. We are going to implement things that we have not done. Being able to reinvent yourself is very motivating. These people do not go to the Olympics for a walk or to get a tattoo. Mireia is going for something great. So, if they open the pool tomorrow, we will win the Olympic medal. If it's Thursday or Friday, no. Open the pool now! “Added a joker.

The French trainer also commented that his pupil is “fine”. “Physically he is fine. He takes good care of himself, does a lot of dry work. We are doing two workouts a day. We thought that this Monday we could return to the CAR after having done the tests. Everyone is healthy, but we continue with this dynamic at home, “he lamented. And it is that the Spanish swimming trusts in the reopening of the pools for the elite of the discipline.

“We would leave a street in the middle unused, so there will be five meters of distance between the streets that we will use. The CAR has tremendous hygiene measures. The swimmers will come from home with the swimsuit on, train and go back to their home . I don't understand that you can go have a beer in a bar and an Olympic champion can't work. In our case, swimming is our job, “he said.

In that regard, he made a comparison between Mireia Belmonte and Leo Messi. “I am a fan of football and Bara. I have been lucky to see matches with Mireia at the Camp Nou. I have my picture with Messi and with Piqu. That feeling will not change, but i can't understand why there is so much difference (between footballers and other athletes). I invite you to come to the CAR to understand what it means to win the Olympic Games for Carolina Marn, Lydia Valentn or for the pirates. They are different realities. Soccer is an ultra-professional sport and we have to thank LaLiga, because economically it helps us to the less powerful federations. But if there is a norm, the norm is for everyone. It's hard for me to see that Messi goes out to train on Friday and that Mireia can't swim, “concluded Vergnoux.