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Aurélie
MULLER |
Sport |
Open Water Swimming |
NOC |
France
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Gender | Women |
Born | 07 Jun 1990
in Sarreguemines, FRA |
Height | 1.69 m |
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General Interest |
Sporting philosophy / motto |
"All the power comes from the muscles, but the strength comes from the heart." (Facebook page, 20 Apr 2021) |
Milestones |
She became the first French swimmer to win a gold medal in open water swimming at the world championships when she triumphed in the 10km event at the 2015 edition in Kazan, Russian Federation. (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 28 Jul 2015; SportsDeskOnline, 05 Jun 2018) |
Sport Specific Information |
Why this sport? |
Her father enrolled her in swimming lessons. |
General Interest |
Injuries |
She was unable to compete at the 2021 World Series event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. (Facebook page, 12 Dec 2021) |
Ambitions |
To win a medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. (republicain-lorrain.fr, 07 Oct 2021) |
Further Personal Information |
Residence |
Sarreguemines, FRA |
Occupation |
Athlete |
Languages |
French |
General Interest |
Other information |
COACH CHANGES AND TOKYO DISAPPOINTMENT After missing out on qualification for the 10km open water event at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, she decided to focus her efforts on competing in Tokyo in the 1500m freestyle pool event. As a result, she left coach Philippe Lucas and relocated to Nice, France, in 2019 to begin training under Fabrice Pellerin. "With the 1500m [freestyle] being a new Olympic distance for women I thought, 'Why not?' I had to leave Philippe [Lucas]. We were sad to leave each other, a large number of my medals are thanks to Philippe." In early 2021 she spent time working with Magali Merino in Fontainebleau, France, before relocating to Sarreguemines, France, to train with Gilles Cattani. Despite winning the 1500m freestyle at the 2021 French Championships, she was unable to swim under the Olympic qualifying time and again missed out on the chance to compete at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. "Not qualifying in my flagship discipline [10km open water], my choice to attempt the 1500m to take advantage of this 'lost' Olympic year, the uncertainty linked to COVID-19, the changes of coaches and way of training. All of this was disrupting. Still, I have no regrets. I took the choices and possibilities that were offered to me." (rmcsport.bfmtv.com, 09 Oct 2019; lequipe.fr, 14 Jul 2019, 17 Jul 2019, 09 Oct 2019; republicain-lorrain.fr, 17 Jun 2021; ffnatation.fr, 16 Jun 2021; sarreguemines.fr, 02 Feb 2022)
RIO DISQUALIFICATION She was disqualified from the 10km open water race at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, after judges ruled that she had pushed Italian swimmer Rachele Bruni's arm down to stop her touching the board at the end. "What happened in Rio is now part of me, of my story, whether I like it or not. I'll have to live with that. I cannot say if it hurts me, but as soon as I see a Rio medallist, a report, it stirs me. As soon as I see Brazil on a sign or on products, I turn my head." (SportsDeskOnline, 05 Jun 2018; leparisien.fr, 29 Dec 2016; ONS, 15 Aug 2016)
OLYMPIC 'CURSE' After disqualification from the 10km event at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and failing to qualify for the event at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, she was asked whether she believed her Olympic open water ambitions were 'cursed'. "No, that is impossible. I still believe in it, I know I have an Olympic destiny awaiting me. Paris 2024 is a long way away. Of course I have thought about 2024 but I have no idea yet. As long as I am enjoying swimming I will continue to swim." (rmcsport.bfmtv.com, 09 Oct 2019)
FURTHER STUDIES She has a diploma in both sports education and professional athlete career management. (womensports.fr, 15 Apr 2018) |
Sport Specific Information |
Club / Team |
CN Sarreguemines: France |
Name of coach |
Gilles Cattani [club], from 2021 |
General Interest |
Hobbies |
Cooking, gliding, extreme sports, listening to music. (Facebook page, 18 Jul 2019) |
Awards and honours |
She was named 2015 and 2017 Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World magazine. (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 02 Nov 2017, 15 Oct 2018)
She was named the European Swimming League [LEN] Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year in 2015 and 2017. (swimswam.com, 22 Jan 2018, 07 Jan 2016) |
Sport Specific Information |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
She began swimming when she was a baby. At age 12 she was selected to represent her school, and progressed from there. |
European Championships |
Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
Heats |
2014 |
Berlin, GER |
1500m Freestyle |
16:45.50 |
Heats |
2010 |
Budapest, HUN |
1500m Freestyle |
16:42.79 |
World Cup |
Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
5 |
2019 |
Berlin, GER |
800m Freestyle |
8:54.71 |
World Championships |
Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
7 |
2023 |
Fukuoka, JPN |
5km |
59:40.1 |
5 |
2023 |
Fukuoka, JPN |
6km - Team Relay |
|
2 |
2022 |
Budapest, HUN |
5km |
57:53.8 |
4 |
2022 |
Budapest, HUN |
10km |
2:02:36.1 |
4 |
2022 |
Budapest, HUN |
6km - Team Relay |
|
2 |
2019 |
Gwangju, KOR |
5km |
57:57.0 |
11 |
2019 |
Gwangju, KOR |
10km |
1:54:51.2 |
6 |
2019 |
Gwangju, KOR |
5km - Team Relay |
54:37.1 |
8 |
2017 |
Budapest, HUN |
25km |
5:28:25.3 |
1 |
2017 |
Budapest, HUN |
10km |
2:00:13.7 |
2 |
2017 |
Budapest, HUN |
5km |
59:10.5 |
1 |
2017 |
Budapest, HUN |
5km - Team Relay |
54:05.9 |
4 |
2015 |
Kazan, RUS |
25km |
5:16:07.5 |
1 |
2015 |
Kazan, RUS |
10km |
1:58:04.3 |
11 |
2015 |
Kazan, RUS |
5km - Team Time Trial |
56:50.9 |
9 |
2013 |
Barcelona, ESP |
5km |
56:46.5 |
7 |
2013 |
Barcelona, ESP |
5km - Team Time Trial |
55:26.3 |
2 |
2011 |
Shanghai, CHN |
5km |
1:00:40.1 |
41 |
2009 |
Rome, ITA |
10km |
2:09:23.7 |
European Championships |
Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
6 |
2022 |
Rome, ITA |
5km |
57:03.3 |
9 |
2022 |
Rome, ITA |
10km |
2:02:21.6 |
3 |
2022 |
Rome, ITA |
5km - Team Relay |
1:00:08.3 |
1 |
2016 |
Hoorn, NED |
10km |
2:07:00.1 |
4 |
2014 |
Berlin, GER |
10km |
1:56:09.2 |
6 |
2014 |
Berlin, GER |
5km - Team Time Trial |
56:39.8 |
4 |
2010 |
Balatonfüred, HUN |
10km |
2:01:09.3 |
World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup |
Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
5 |
2023 |
|
10km |
|
34 |
2023 |
Funchal, POR |
10km |
2:00:55.6 |
7 |
2023 |
Golfo Aranci, ITA |
10km |
1:56:32.0 |
13 |
2022 |
|
10km |
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4 |
2022 |
Eilat, ISR |
10km |
1:56:25.4 |
18 |
2022 |
Paris, FRA |
10km |
2:03:41.58 |
41 |
2021 |
|
10km |
|
25 |
2021 |
Doha, QAT |
10km |
2:01:56.2 |
26 |
2019 |
|
10km |
|
5 |
2019 |
Beau Vallon, SEY |
10km |
2:01:44.40 |
24 |
2018 |
|
10km |
|
5 |
2018 |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
10km |
2:00:27.0 |
11 |
2017 |
|
10km |
|
1 |
2017 |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
10km |
1:52:35.3 |
1 |
2016 |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
10km |
1:58:05.00 |
1 |
2015 |
Nouméa, NCL |
10km |
2:09:18.70 |
15 |
2014 |
Setúbal, POR |
10km |
2:05:50.9 |
4 |
2012 |
Cancún, MEX |
10km |
2:10:15.35 |
6 |
2011 |
Hong Kong, CHN |
10km |
2:12:31.35 |
8 |
2009 |
Dubai, UAE |
10km |
1:52:46.56 |
2 |
2008 |
Dubai, UAE |
10km |
1:56:30.47 |
69 |
2007 |
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10km |
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