Daviet: I want Paralympic gold

The countdown to the new season is underway. This season will have an added edge for our winter athletes, as it concludes with the 2018 Paralympic Games in PyeongChang.

For France’s Benjamin Daviet, he has a point to prove. Having won the biathlon World Cup last season, as well as winning several medals at the World Championships, Paralympic gold is the last major medal missing from his collection.

He reflects on the success of last season and reveals his ambitions for PyeongChang 2018.

“I am very satisfied with my past season. I think my best performance was the world title in the long distance biathlon. I was in great shape and my shots were almost perfect. The hard work paid off.”

After such a strong season, it would be easy to think that there is no room for improvement.

“It will be difficult to do better but it is a Paralympic Games year, so yes obviously I work to go for medals and especially Paralympic gold. I can improve my shooting and my speed on the skis. I train a lot and can definitely work more detail into both areas.”

Daviet is also thinking about the team, however.

“While my main goal is to get an individual Paralympic title, I want to go for a title on the open relay with my teammates, too.”

He knows that the preparation for PyeongChang starts now, even though it is the summer break.

“I will train a lot and work on my weak points to give myself the best chance for next season.”

While he will go into the Games as one of the favourites, he is not letting the expectation get to him.

“There are many great sportspeople in France with very big prizes that are well above mine, so I don’t feel the pressure.”

The Paralympic Winter Games will take place in PyeongChang from 9-18 March 2018.