Like we all know, specifically in France, this summer is a sporting one with the launching of Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The most important and sports event of the World, gathering on July 26th thousands of sportsmen and women, coaches, and supporters. So, we have thought, that communicate this sport spirit all along the summer, to the workers and holidaymakers will be such a pleasant idea.
Let’s start officially with this blog articles series: "Abyss Ingredients at the heart of sport" dedicated to sport practice of our athletes, but also our Abyss team… Stay tuned!
Portrait of the day: Chloé Gazzola
Chloé Gazzola is our Marketing & Communication assistant at Abyss. Beyond her perseverance, her will and her positive attitude at work since 2 years, discover her from another side: sport and specifically twirling baton.
Chloé practiced twirling during 5 years and stopped with Covid-19 to focus on her studies. But passion was stronger then everything, she decides today, 4 years later to come back and to practice twirling baton again. |  |
Today, she handles at once, her studies, her job as marketing and communication assistant and her passion for twirling and sport generally speaking.
We are very proud to present a little part of her sport through this interview.
What values does sport pass on to you?
« I’d say surpassing yourself, and even beyond twirling, I think that this value is the very essence of sport, with this desire to always go further, to see how far you can go and what you're capable of.
I would also say the notion of sharing. Sport has this ability to bring people together, it's a constant sharing of pain and joy, of emotions in general.
And finally, work. You can be talented, of course, but without the work behind it, there's nothing and you can't perform. Particularly in twirling, before you completely master a movement you must repeat it 500 times. »
Crédit - Steven Pic5
What role does sport play in your daily life and what do you gain from it?
« I do sports like weight training and running. I do them about twice a week, but to be honest, on a regular basis it's quite complicated, because I'm not as passionate about them as I am about twirling. I'm taking up twirling again this summer after a 4-year absence due to studies and covid, so I admit I'm really looking forward to rediscovering this passion and this dynamic that makes me want to do it all the time.
Unfortunately, I've lost the passion I had for sport, but having the determination to take up twirling again after a few years' absence has given me a real taste for sport again, with this real idea of passion, beyond the idea of physical maintenance.
After all, running is good for me and it's important for my physical and mental health, it gives me a sense of balance. »
In your opinion, how do you reconcile work, personal life and physical activity?
« I think I have the same opinion as a lot of people on this point, because in my mind, we have to manage, to plan ahead and make it part of our daily routine, as if it were a professional appointment.
As far as work is concerned, you have no choice but to go and do what you have to do. But it's true that the more you do sport, the more it takes away from your personal life, whether it's time when you could be doing other activities, or even moments when you don't have anything to do.
To give you a very personal example, instead of spending 1 hour on Instagram, I can be more productive and go to do sport. By consequences, I’m doing sport without depriving me of an activity I could have done on the side. »
How do you deal with procrastination in sport?
« I think it's already happened to everyone. We all have lives, situations, problems and annoyances that don't always help our motivation.
I think you have to push yourself to go for it, but you also have to listen to yourself, your body and your obligations.
You shouldn't always procrastinate and put things off until later, but I think it's important to tell yourself that for whatever reason, if I don't go today, it's OK. To tell myself that perhaps I had something more urgent to do, that I've invested my time elsewhere and that it's only a postponement. »
Which athlete inspires you across all disciplines?
« I'd say Maelys Camus, who was a great twirling champion when I was practising in the Parisian area.
She is a source of inspiration to me in the way she was able to perfect her skills and recover from the injuries she sustained, especially towards the end of her career.
Despite the pain, she took part in the world championships after fracturing her wrist a few months earlier.
What I admire most of all about her is the way she made this sport simple: the fact that it seemed so easy for her. And I find it really extraordinary to think that she's had to work so hard to achieve such perfection that it looks so easy. »
What attracts you to twirling?
 | “I find this sport very complete despite appearances.
There are lots of implicit disciplines: baton handling, which is all about technique. There's also the artistic side, which links in with gymnastics and dance. And finally, there's an important theatrical aspect: we need to be able to convey an emotion through our performance, which takes place in a space of 1m30.” |
How do you cope with the pressure of competition?
« It was very complicated 4 years ago, I had the impression that my life was at stake at every competition. Looking back, I think it's probably linked to my lack of self-confidence. I know that I've grown, learnt and evolved today. I can't predict how I'll manage my stress after 4 years, but I'm more confident with myself.
Generally speaking, we all tried to manage our breathing as well as possible, to go over our movements 100 times and to get support from those close to us.
Having practised both solo and as part of a team, I have to say that it's 100 times more stressful to step onto the mat alone. But at the same time, I also know that if I fail solo, I owe it all to myself.
Whereas in a team, others are counting on me too. In a solo, you can only blame yourself and that only affects you. Both are scary, but the stakes are different."
How do you deal with failures?
« I think there are several phases.
It certainly hurts the ego, because we've worked so hard, because there's so much investment and above all in twirling, the chorée is literally performed on 1m30. So it's hard to see the work you've put in over several months on 1m30 and not be satisfied with your performance.
There's a lot of soul-searching and moments of doubt. And it's at this point that the 2nd phase of dealing with failure follows you go back to training, and do the movement not 200 but 500 times, or even more, until the work finally pays off. »
Thank you Chloé for your sharing !
