Prémanon (France) (AFP)

The American Tara Geraghty-Moats, world No.1 in the women's Nordic combined, is delighted with the creation this year of a World Cup circuit and the integration into the Nordic ski world of her discipline, previously reserved for men at the highest level: "it's monumental".

At 26, this multi-talented athlete (she has competed at the highest level in three disciplines already, biathlon, long distance and jumping) dreams of the Olympic rings but remains lucid with AFP on the situation of her sport, where the means are lacking.

Question: How do you feel about the birth of the female handset at the highest level?

Answer: "It’s a dream come true. All athletes know a sense of accomplishment when they are successful. It’s different, I wanted to combine but this sport did not exist. had to fight to get on a podium, like any athlete, but I also had to build the track myself! Today I feel rewarded and I hope I have contributed to make this sport better with equality between women and men. We write history in a historic sport. It's monumental. "

Q: What are your expectations for next year?

A: I hope the sport will grow very quickly. The participants in the Youth Games are already among the best in the world. As they are very young, they still have a huge room for improvement (...) But many national teams have not yet been created. In the United States we have a team but we are not subsidized like the boys. To get the maximum subsidy, I have to score World Cup points. And as the World Cup does not yet exist ... I may be the world No.1 I am not 100% funded, but these are the rules. "

Q: Do you dream of the Olympic Games in combination (a request will be made to integrate the program in 2026)?

A: "Of course I dream about it! I will be 32 years old, but why not, I will try to take care of myself. My heart wants to be. The handset is a passion, it will not fade (. ..) And the Games would be very important because we are a small sport, it's hard to find sponsors, especially for women. Being Olympic helps to find partners for the team and on an individual level in addition to bringing worldwide recognition. "

Interview by Robin GREMMEL

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