Biathlon: Paul-Mehdi Benhayoun made Moroccan history in Obertilliach
On Thursday afternoon, bib number 87 in the men’s sprint at theIBU Cup in Obertilliach (Austria) made history. By stepping through the Tyrolean start gate, Paul-Mehdi Benhayoun became the first Moroccan and African to take part in an international biathlon race.
Three years after he started training in the sport, the 32-year-old Franco-Moroccan is now looking to qualify for the Olympics. 127th at the finish with an 8/10, he agreed to tell Nordic Magazine all about this great first.
An emotional day
“I ran at 14:53 and in the morning I went for a short jog to get my body moving. It was a very emotional jog, because I was aware of the moment. This is it, it’s D-Day, this is it! My tears came all at once and I wondered what was going on… I was running and screaming on my own down a little path next to Obertilliach. It was really loud and I had incredible energy. Whatever was going to happen, it was going to happen and I was ready to go. It was good stress.
“I arrived at the stadium well in advance, everything was in place and I went to do my ski tests. I was waxed and adjusted by the US team, who were really nice to me. Mike Gibson, their coach, is just too nice! A big thank you to them who really put me in the right conditions.
“I left with a full house, a big smile and a lot of energy from the shooting range!Paul-Mehdi Benhayoun at Nordic Magazine
“In the first round of cross-country skiing, I wanted to do too well and it took a lot of nervous energy. I picked myself up as I went along, but it wasn’t long before I got to the prone shot. I took my time, my aim was to make a nice shot and that’s what happened. I impressed myself by staying focused, going bullet by bullet to aim for the black and nothing else. I came away with a full house, a big smile and a lot of energy from the shooting range!
“It also frees you up on the skis and allows you to be more serene and calm. When I was standing up, I missed the first one, but then I got myself together and told myself that I had to do it like when I was lying down, one ball at a time. I managed it, but I missed another one. That still gives me a nice 8/10, which is incredible! It’s not every day I get to do that, even in the French Cup, so I’m delighted with the score.
“It’s a bit more than sport and a simple biathlon race”.Paul-Mehdi Benhayoun at Nordic Magazine
“I did the last lap with incredible energy and emotion. At the finish, I didn’t see my ranking, nothing, but I was just moved. Some volunteers took my transponder away from me and I started to cry. That’s it, this first race is done! It’s a bit more than sport and a simple biathlon race. It’s the culmination of a project that’s been going on for several years, and I couldn’t have got off to a better start. I can’t wait for the rest!
“I wanted to leave my mark on the sporting history of my country, Morocco, and it’s come true. I’m really proud [he insists]! I have incredible support from the biathlon family here in Obertilliach. People are really happy to see a Moroccan! Moroccans, too, identify with and are proud to see their flag in another sport, and what’s more, a sport like biathlon is on the rise. Yeah, I can say that I’m really proud to be the first Moroccan and African to take part in an international competition.
