He became the talk of the Olympic opening and a superstar almost overnight. But the success came at a price he wasn’t prepared for.

Mathis Desloges became the center of attention when he opened the Olympics in Italy with a silver medal in the skiathlon, finishing just behind Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. The 24-year-old Frenchman followed up with another silver in the 10-kilometer race and then in the relay, suddenly becoming the nation’s hero. This was something he hadn’t anticipated. 

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You won three medals at the Olympics and suddenly received a lot of attention. How do you find a balance between focusing on training and everything else? 

“I’m not doing very well. I like to do things thoroughly, not halfway, in any field. I wanted to experience the media attention, fully committed to the partners,” Mathis Desloges told the French newspaper Le Dauphiné. 

Felt alone

For the rest of the season, Desloges struggled to break into the top 10 in the World Cup. 

“It was mentally challenging. After experiencing the emotions I went through, everything that followed seemed bland. It was difficult to manage. I wasn’t working with a mental coach at all; I was a bit isolated during those times,” he said. 

Now, after the season has long ended and most athletes are well into their preparations for the next one, he still struggles to regain his routines. 

“Everything in its own time, but I’m just tinkering; I’m not doing what I want to do in training, that’s for sure. A few short sessions here and there, it’s not as much as I want to do,” Desloges said.

Had to seek help

Eventually, Desloges took matters into his own hands. 

“I’ve started psychological counseling to best manage my project. It’s important to have expert support,” he said, continuing. 

“I’m leaving these Olympics full of ambition. I’m determined to reach my first World Cup podium and shine at the World Championships in Falun.”

Not worried 

Now, Mathis Desloges hopes that the ongoing training camp with the French team in Tignes will mark a turning point.

“This training camp in Tignes marks the end of this post-Olympic period and the beginning of my return to training for the upcoming season”, he said. 

“My feelings are mixed. I know I didn’t train as much as I would have liked during May. It’s showing at the start of the training camp. We’re at 2700m altitude, we’re going back to basics on snow, I’m not worried. We’re here for three weeks. I might extend it by a week if the conditions are still good. I have time to get my bearings again, to build up my training volume.”

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