10 questions with Marion Thenault

Q: What is the biggest challenge for you when competing during a worldwide pandemic and how do you deal with it?

A: The hardest thing for me is not being able to spend time with my friends from the all over the world. Aerials is a really close community and the people I compete against become my friends; we travel together, we train together, we compete together, we live the same emotions, so we become very close. It is sometimes hard not to have this social aspect and just go from my bedroom to the competition site all the time. At the same time, I am so grateful that we have the opportunity to compete despite the pandemic, so when I have a hard time or feel lonely, I remember how lucky I was to practice my sport and focus on training and preparing for competitions. 

Q: Now looking ahead to the new season with the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing on the horizon, what are your goals for 2021/22?

A: I would like to be back on the podium! I would also like to be part of the superfinals at the Olympic Games.

Q: If you had to name three athletes to watch out for in 2021/22, who would it be?

A: Laura Peel (Australia), Xu Mengtao (China), Danielle Scott (Australia)

Q: What is your favourite World Cup venue to compete at?

A: Moscow, Russia. The site is really nice, the conditions last year were perfect and it’s where I did my first podium, so it has a special place in my heart.