Saint-Étienne (AFP)
The sprinter Jimmy Vicaut has preferred to give up "as a precaution" to compete in the final of the 100 m of the French Athletics Championships Saturday in Saint-Etienne, while rain and cold fall on the competition.
Great favorite after easily winning his semi-finals under the torrents of water earlier in the afternoon, the co-recordman of Europe (9 sec 86) preferred to give up as a precaution, and not because of a possible injury, he said.
"It's very cold and I do not want to take chances, I could not express myself properly, so it's better like that, I'm disgusted, but I do not want to hurt myself to please people, "he said after making the decision with his coach Dimitri Demonière, and while the temperature fell to about 15 degrees in the Forez after an afternoon marked by heavy rains.
Jimmy Vicaut had achieved Friday the "level of performance required" by the French Athletics Federation to be selected for the World Cup in Doha (September 27 - October 6) by winning his series of 100 m in 10 sec 02.
In his absence, Amaury Golitin was crowned champion of France in 10.45.
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