Frederique was happy to be a part of Boukli’s success, “It started 3 years ago in Tokyo when she lost in the first round to Nikolai (SRB). It had been a little surprise for everyone, even her, that she could go to that Games. Even one year before she wouldn’t have qualified but she made it. She was young though and really it was too soon. She was devastated. She then lost at the worlds, also in the first round."
"At that point, we said we would all speak together, with her coach Kilian Le Blouch and the federation, about a new plan to get a medal at the next Olympic Games, this Games in Paris. Two years out, at the start of qualification, we planned for this medal. We had to go deep into who she is, how we trust her feeling judgement, what she needs, and from there we decided to build a special programme just for her; the club and federation together, hand in hand with confidence and trust, no hiding or guessing.
I’m the Vice President of the high level team now in France and in that role I was able to spend a lot of time talking with Kilian to create a special system just for her. She started to show her best quality in training and with her psychology also being managed she became more confident in herself. Then came a European title and a world medal and we saw her climb the ranking. She turned a great corner."
"On the first day of the Games she was of course a little stressed and her judo was more closed than normal, at least first thing in the morning, but at 2pm, in the break, we spent some time together and we thought about all she came through to get here and what her best judo is. I asked her to show us and herself the best she has, to now be open and do all the judo she has. ‘No more thinking about what is outside, just be yourself.’ She completely changed in the final block and against Scutto (ITA) we saw her throw her for the first time. She hadn’t done that before, in previous competitions."
"When she won this medal, I was really emotional. It was the first medal for France in 20 years in the category, 20 years since my medal and it felt like I had passed the baton. I’m so happy for her and for the whole team. It is the first medal for the French team in any sport again, just like mine was. It’s a mirror of what we did 20 years ago and so it’s extra special."
"I was sitting with Cecile Nowak to watch Shinire and we each had little tears. She said, ‘twenty years ago you did it and it’s amazing to see it again.’
Now I enjoy my medals even more than I did at the time. They are forever and as time passes we can really reflect on our achievements and I want the same for Shirine. She deserves this and we are all so proud of her.”