Search
shop

“I wake up everyday to be Olympic Champion” – Luis on Paris 2024

We caught up for an exclusive interview with French star Vincent Luis who says that triathlon for him is all about winning two particular events.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

After struggling through a tumultous season in 2021, which included a disappointing 13th at the Tokyo Olympics, there were glimpses of the old Vincent Luis in the latter half of 2022.

After winning WTCS Bermuda, Clash Daytona and IRONMAN 70.3 Bahrain at the end of last season, the Frenchman has his 2023 sights set on a third world title and qualification for the Paris Olympics.

Dual focus – Olympics and Hawaii

After winning back to back world titles in 2019 and 2020, Luis spoke to us here at TRI247 and shared that the journey back to the top of the sport has not been easy after injuries dented his chances of finishing on the podium at the Tokyo Olympics.

Vincent Luis

He said: “I won the world title two times in 2019 and 2020, then in 2021 I was not really myself at all. In 2022, I finally began to start to enjoy what I was doing again.”

The Frenchman, who has competed at the London, Rio and Tokyo Olympics, stated that whilst winning a world title this year is a big goal, the most important objective is Olympic qualification.

“The world title is a big focus but the main one is the Olympics right now. I think I am the second French athlete in the rankings behind Leo [Bergere] so it could be enough guarantee me a spot at the Olympics”.

After recounting his world title wins he admitted that “being a world champion is just amazing”, the 33-year-old has always been certain of what success in the world of triathlon looks like to him.

“I have always said that triathlon for me is about winning two things, the Olympics and Hawaii, everything else just sits on the bookshelf. I really wake up everyday to be the Olympic champion.”

Paris hosting is a “really big opportunity”

If Luis was to take the tape at the next Olympic Games, it would be with the added bonus of doing so in front of a home crowd, an experience only enjoyed by one man in the sport of triathlon so far, Alistair Brownlee.

For the Frenchman, the opportunity to race in front of his people, at what might be his final major short course race, is one that he looks forward to immensely.

“If I race it will be my fourth Olympics. Some people race at the Olympics four or five times and they never get the chance to race in front of a home crowd on home soil”.

With the popularity of the sport in France, displayed throughout the year at smaller events such as the French Grand Prix and European Cups, so tremendous, Luis believes it will be a race for the ages.

“I know the public will be very supportive. I never get the chance to race in front of my friends because as a triathlete I am always travelling the world to race, and we don’t really have very big races in France, so this is a really big opportunity that I am really looking forward to”.

From August 17-20, Luis and other Olympic hopefuls will race the Paris Test event, with the hope of meeting the qualifying criteria set out by their national governing bodies, on the course centred around the Pont Alexandre III bridge overlooking the River Seine.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Paris 2024 Women's Triathlon podium - Cassandre Beaugrand, Julie Derron, Beth Potter
GOLDEN opportunity for the sport as first medals of LA2028 will be women’s triathlon
Gordon Ramsay 703 Luxembourg 2025
‘I’M BACK and Cooking!’ – Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay celebrates triathlon return
Danielle Lewis (USA) takes the win in Lake Placid.
Start list for IRONMAN Lake Placid REVEALED – and it’s stacked with world class names
Julie Derron wins T100 San Francisco 2025
IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz 2025: Olympic star wins by MORE than half an hour for first full-distance win
Matt Hauser Linn Jeffcoat Willian Australia win Mixed Relay WTCS Hamburg 2025
WTCS Hamburg 2025 Mixed Relay World Championship: Hauser anchors Australia to glory
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...