French cross-country skier Jules Chappaz has attributed his disappointing exit from the Winter Olympics to a severe bout of gastroenteritis, appearing visibly distraught during a heartfelt interview broadcast on French television. The 26-year-old athlete was left devastated after crashing out in the quarter-finals of the men's sprint event on Tuesday, and he has since pointed to stomach problems that left him feeling "terrible" as the primary cause of his early elimination.
Emotional Interview Reveals Physical Struggle
In an interview with France 2, Chappaz described how a stomach bug, which had reportedly spread through the French squad over recent weeks, left him with gas and discomfort from the end of qualifying onwards. He was unable to recover sufficiently in time for the crucial quarter-final race, severely hampering his performance.
"I wasn't feeling well at all, I had a stomach ache," the skier explained emotionally. "I felt a bit nauseous and I had gas since the end of qualifying. My body is slowly recovering and it was perhaps a little too soon. Four years of work down the drain because of gastroenteritis."
Symptoms Persisted During Competition
Chappaz detailed that from the start of the event, he experienced nausea, and his condition did not improve after qualifying. "Since the end of qualifying, I haven't been feeling well. I don't have many symptoms anymore but as soon as I push myself, I feel terrible," he added, highlighting the physical toll the illness took on his Olympic aspirations.
High Hopes Dashed by Illness
Arriving in Milan with hopes of winning a medal, the Frenchman had been battling the illness before the Games but underestimated its impact on his performance. "I wanted to believe I could do it, otherwise I wouldn't have come," Chappaz continued. "I was here to win a medal, but unfortunately, things haven't gone very well these last two weeks."
He expressed frustration at his body's limitations, stating, "I did what I could with what I had. My body isn't exactly inclined to give its all right now. These are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, everyone was there for me."
Understanding Gastroenteritis
According to medical sources, gastroenteritis is a very common condition that causes diarrhoea and vomiting, typically resulting from a bacterial or viral stomach bug. This illness can significantly impair physical endurance and recovery, particularly in high-stakes athletic competitions like the Olympics.
Competitive Quarter-Final Group
Chappaz was placed in a competitive quarter-final group that included overwhelming favourite Johannes Hosflot Klaebo, who has become a viral sensation for his astonishing technique in the uphill sprint. After winning his second gold medal of the Games in Milan, footage of Klaebo leaving his rivals behind captivated fans on social media, with the clip showing the 29-year-old speeding at more than 10mph up a slope in a display that seemed to defy physics.
Reflections on Olympic Performance
Despite facing such formidable competition, Chappaz reflected on his mindset, saying, "You have to be able to beat everyone if you want to win a medal. I was aware of that. It's the Olympics, I really wanted to run! Qualifying [as the third fastest time] gave me high hopes."
He speculated that energy depletion may have been a factor, noting, "Maybe I didn't have enough energy to get through the rounds. It's a shame because I wasn't far off even though I wasn't feeling great. That's life." Concluding with a note of regret, Chappaz added, "My regret is my form. I believed in myself until the very end and gave it my all, but it wasn't enough."
