Clémence Calvin: An Unlucky Runner

Between medals and injuries, the race continues ❤️‍🔥

Clémence boasts an impressive list of races. Starting in 2011, she joined the European Championships with a 5,000 m in Ostrava, where she took the bronze medal 🥉. In a team event in 2013, she participated in the European Cross Country Championships finishing 2nd. Then, the first gold medal 🥇 around her neck came the following year during the European Cup of 10,000 m, clocking a time of 31’52". More silver medals followed, in the 10 km in 2014 and in the Berlin Marathon in 2018. The Paris Half Marathon also saw her success, with a fine third place, marking her last podium before her suspension. Other races dotted her career, such as the Lisbon Half Marathon 🇵🇹, and European or world championships, with varying results. In 2024, the athlete's return at the Barcelona Marathon. Unfortunately, an injury 🩹 near the finish line forced her to give up on qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games. Her return to official competition representing France will wait until 2025, at the marathon of the European Championships of Running in Brussels, where she will finish 11th ⚡️.

Suspended, but not broken 🌞

Challenges began in 2015, when she was forced to withdraw ❌ from the World Championships in Beijing due to a chickenpox virus 🦠 and a thoracic shingles. A year later, she thought she was in the clear before the European Championships in Amsterdam, only for shingles 🤒 to reappear, forcing her to withdraw. A pause from long-distance competition became necessary, and she devoted her time to her studies in psychomotricity. 2018 was finally a glorious year for the young Frenchwoman, as she was selected to represent France at the European Championships in Berlin 💪, in a marathon. Venturing into a distance she had never run before, she emerged with a splendid silver medal. But it was to no avail; 2019 arrived, and a doping test 💉 forced her to stop official competitions for 4 years. In 2019, she decided to refuse a test by the AFLD (French Anti-Doping Agency) 📒 during her preparation for the Paris Marathon, while she was in the spotlight. Accusing this test of being "deeply violent and entirely incomprehensible," she was nonetheless provisionally suspended 🛑. Her sanction was lifted on April 12th, allowing her to start the Paris Marathon and even improve her personal time ⏱️. On December 11th, the AFLD decided to officially suspend her for 4 years. It is thus in 2024 that she will lace up her shoes to participate in the Prom’Classic in Nice. Since then, she continues to shine on the French tracks.

A Time Etched Under the Breton Sky 🌤️

A notable race was added to her journey; after the European Championships in Berlin, she registered 📝 for the Corrida de Langueux. This is a French race of Breton origin held every year since 1991. This event brings together all levels around hikes 🥾, children's races, 5 km, and even 10 km... In the 10,000 m, an international race is organized. She participated in the 2018 edition, setting a record time. 31'20, timer stopped, the finish line 🏁 crossed, and the numbers recorded. A national French record, surpassing former holder Nadia Prasad, with 31’38 in 1994. That's not all, as this time was also noted as the best European performance of the year and at the time, marked as the women’s race record 🩷.

She embodies a true symbol of mental strength, being a woman who never gives up her passion, no matter the circumstance! 🌻