Gueorgiou: No start in World Cup, but future decided

Gueorgiou: No start in World Cup, but future decided

Thierry Gueorgiou is not taking part in the final race in World Cup this year. However, the 13 times World Champion is now sure about his future with map and compass.

At WOC in Scotland he wasn’t sure about the future.

– If I were to decide just now I would probably stop, he said just after he had won the long distance once more. – But in some weeks’ time the answer might be something else.

Now it’s almost two months since the days in Scotland, and Thierry has come to a decision.

– I have decided to continue my elite career one more year, he says.

The 36 year old Frenchman intends to strive towards more success internationally. This year he got the gold on the long distance, but was “only” seventh on the special distance – the middle. On that distance he has seven WOC gold in the period of 2003 to 2011. He also has four on the long distance and one each for the sprint and the relay.

– The main reason for going on is that I still love my life as it is today and I still have the desire to perform at my best. I would also like to experience an injury free winter and try to be very well prepared for the WOC middle distance. On top of that, I think I have good conditions to prepare for next year´s World Championships as I am living in Sweden and can find relevant terrains not too far from home.

Thierry’s partner Annika Billstam, who won middle in Scotland and the year before, is on site in Switzerland for the last races. Thierry is not present.

– I’m not going to the World cup final as I had not set it as a priority this year and the French team is not going either, because of their budget.

Text and photo: Erik Borg