PICON Charline

General
RETIREMENT THOUGHTS
After winning gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, she considered leaving the sport. "Before Rio, I said that if I won the [gold] medal I would quit. That would be the less risky option of finishing at the top, as I would have won a European, a world and an Olympic title." When her sailing class, RS:X, was confirmed to be in the sporting programme at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, she decided to continue. "It's the same board since [the 2008 Olympic Games in] Beijing. It's a board that I know, I am used to the material and there has not been a relevant evolution, so I wouldn't lose any time. I love challenges. Competition pushes me forward, and I am still passionate about sailing." (lepoint.fr, 23 Apr 2018; lemonde.fr, 13 Aug 2016; charlinepicon.fr, 18 Apr 2019)

MATERNITY BREAK
She took a break from the sport after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in order to start a family. Her daughter Lou was born in July 2017, and she returned to competition in April 2018. She says her daughter helps to motivate her and she brings her to competitions. "That means a higher cost but she contributes to my success. If I am not feeling good because my daughter is far away, then I will not win." (sport.francetvinfo.fr, 04 Jun 2019; sudouest.fr, 16 Jul 2018)

She became the first female French sailor to win an Olympic medal of any colour in the RS:X class when she won gold at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. The win also meant she became the first French sailor of either gender to win Olympic gold in the RS:X class. (SportsDeskOnline, 07 May 2020)