ROSSET Matthieu

General
BREAK FROM SPORT
After winning gold in the mixed team event at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, he put competitive diving on hold. "Weariness had finally set in after 12 years of diving non-stop. I was worn out, both physically and mentally. I needed a break, to do something else, even totally cut it off with sport." He focused on his cinematography studies and returned to the sport two years later, a break which he thinks has paid off. "My approach has changed. Before, when I came to training, I only thought of my performance, about the Olympic title. It was too much. Now I keep my goals high, but while focusing on the pleasure of training. I wouldn't be at this level today if I hadn't taken that break." (insep.fr, 03 Dec 2020; sportmag.fr, 05 Jun 2020; eprogres.fr, 28 Nov 2019)

FIRST HIGH DIVE
In 2019 he made his first high dive, near Saint-Jean-de-Fos, France. "I was under pressure. I was sick, had a fever, but couldn't postpone it. Some policemen came and tried to stop [me] diving. They finally left, but I had to do it quickly in case they returned. I stepped onto the platform, without thinking. I just watched my brother at the bottom, waiting for his signal. Then I jumped, it was high! I didn't realise before, but you really have time to think about the impact with the water, and to remember your whole life! Finally I entered the water without a problem. It was crazy, I didn't even feel the impact. Actually, when I dove from 3m, I loved to do the most number of twists and rotations in a little amount of time. At 27m you fly so much more. You have more time and the feeling of flying is just crazy!" (sportmag.fr, 05 Jun 2020; eprogres.fr, 28 Nov 2019)

FURTHER EDUCATION
He has studied landscape architecture at Du Breuil School in Paris, France, and taken a course in cinematography at the Superior School of Cinematographic Studies [ESEC]. (insep.fr, 03 Dec 2020; CNEWS-Lyon pressreader.com, 11 Jun 2019; LinkedIn profile, 01 Apr 2019)

He and Laura Marino became the first French divers to win a gold medal at the world championships when they placed first in the mixed team event at the 2017 edition in Budapest, Hungary. (ffnatation.fr, 17 Nov 2017; SportsDeskOnline, 10 Nov 2018)