Courtesy of FINA, Hangzhou, China.
Stéphane Lecat of France will speak in Hangzhou, China on the Keys of Long-Distance Training at the 5th FINA World Aquatics Convention.
Lecat will travel directly from Mo’orea where he is coaching world champion Aurélie Muller, Logan Fontaine, and Olympic bronze medalist Marc-Antoine Olivier at the 10 km Moz Coral Open Water Race and Tahiti Swimming Experience.
Not only does Lecat manage the international success of the elite French team together with renowned coach Philippe Lucas, but he also oversees 41 domestic open water races throughout France where over 25,000 swimmers of all ages and abilities take part. Upon his retirement after his prolific success as a professional marathon swimmer, Lecat has applied his passion, talents and experiences to guiding the elites and newcomers in the sport.
Over a 1000 delegates, representing over 400 organizations and National Federations will listen to Lecat’s presentation at the Hangzhou Intercontinental Hotel for the 3-day FINA World Aquatics Convention from December 8th – 10th.
The Conference covers myriad topics including fan experience at aquatics events, marketing and digital exposure, bidding and event legacy, anti-doping and development as well as the FINA Swimming Coaches Golden Clinic will run in conjunction with the Convention.
After the 5th FINA World Aquatics Convention 2018, the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships will be held between December 11th and 16th, and the FINA World Aquatics Gala will honor the best athletes of 2018 including the World Open Water Swimmers of the Year.
Lecat knows very well how to push himself. He recalls the 88 km Maratón Internacional Hernandarias – Paraná in 1997. “I had just come off of three victories [on the professional marathon swimming circuit] and I will feeling great. But after two and a half hours into the race, I felt terrible. I had nothing left.
I went to touch my escort boat, but my coach pulled away so I could not disqualify myself. I wanted to get out. I had nothing left. The men’s lead pack easily pulled away from me. Then the women’s pack pulled away from me. But my coach told me to eat and drink and eat and drink and then swim for 15 more minutes. So I did it and I felt a little better.
I started to swim faster and then I gradually pulled even with the women’s pack. Then I ate and drank and ate and drank again, usually every 15 minutes. But the top men were still far away. Normally, it would be impossible to think I could catch up. But I believed that I could.
Then with 200 meters to go, I was still over 50 meters away from the leader. But I still believed I could win.
At the end of 88 km, I catch him and won by a few strokes.”
Lecat will share his experiences and help coaches help their athletes similarly to believe in themselves and how to properly prepare for the races of their lives.
For more information on the World Aquatics Convention and FINA Swimming Coaches Golden Clinic, visit here.
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