Claire Martin (FRA)

Beam finalist last year on her first European Championships, she is one of the must-see French gymnast in Montpellier.

What made you start gymnastics?

When I was only 3 years old, my parents enrolled me into gymnastics. I did a little bit of dance but I did not feel it was dynamic or crazy enough for me! Then step by step I increased my level to get in the Dijon elite training center. I was 8 then.

What is a typical day like?

I get up around 7h and get ready to first go to class from 7h45 to 9h40, then go to gym from 10h to 13h. After that I have break to have lunch and rest. I go back to class from 14h15 until 16h15, and gym from 16h30 to 19h30. At night I do my homework and relax from the day.

What is your gymnastics’ best memory?

The best moment in my career was to compete in the World Championships in 2014 in China. But my best results were the EYOF (European Youth Olympic Festival) of 2013 in Utrecht when I finished 3^rd on beam, and also the Massilia Cup of 2014 when I won the beam final!

Do you feel more pressure with a European Championships organized in France, with the French audience?

We feel more pressure competing at a European Championships in France, but we are also proud to represent our country in front of our public. It gives us strength, and it also stresses us out, but in a positive way.

You were part of the beam finalists last year for your first European Championships. Are you aiming to for a medal this year? By the way, is beam your favorite apparatus?

Of course beam is my best apparatus and my goal is to win a medal on that event. But it is not my favorite apparatus: it is floor

Thomas Bouhail about Claire : « She is a very talented and very classy gymnast. I think she can surprise by her results very soon”.