Athletics: Pierre-Ambroise Bosse announces his retirement 7 months before the Paris Olympics

Seven months before the Olympic Games in Paris, the 2017 800m world champion, Pierre-Ambroise Bosse, announced his retirement in the columns of L’Équipe. “I want to go to the Games but I know my body won’t let me,” said the French athlete. Injured in the tendon and right hamstring, the French 800m record holder, physically and mentally affected, ended his career at the age of 31.

During his career, Pierre-Ambroise Bosse notably won the French championships 5 times, the European junior championship, the World championships in London in 2017 and was named French athlete of the year for this feat.

And to evoke his title of world champion and its consequences on his sporting career: “Things happen in your head in those moments. This title came out of the hat. I am not unworthy, I had just finished 4th at the Games (in 2016) in the greatest period of my sporting life. I wasn’t a trumpet player either, but in 2017 I wasn’t exceptional. The surprise was such that I had the impression of not having understood everything in my body. To tell myself that it wasn’t just the physical aspect. The guy’s back is against the wall and he finds himself with a new power. The title of world champion satisfied my ego to the point that it was as if athletics was a bit over for me. I no longer needed to prove anything.”

In 2018, Pierre-Ambroise Bosse was indicted for violence with a weapon without ITT after an altercation near Arcachon (Gironde), during which the athlete himself was injured. A 24-year-old man had previously been indicted for the attack on the champion, who then had to end his season. But the young suspect in turn filed a complaint against Bosse, accusing him of having started the fight by throwing a can of beer at him, leading to the expansion of the judicial investigation.

Olympic Games: 4th (2016) World Championships: 1st (2017) European Championships: 3rd (2012) French Championships: 1st (2012, 2014, 2015) European Championships Hopes: 1st (2013) European Championships Juniors: 1st (2011) French record: 1’42”53 (July 18, 2014 in Monaco)