People

Benjamin Boukpeti: Why I skipped World Cup

By CSNJuly 19, 2010

Benjamin Boukpeti: I come here to say why I was not in World Cups this year.

After won an Olympic medal for my roots country it’s really a dream to prepare for the next one with a total involvement and I share my preparation with Togolese.

The big difficulty for me today is that I need to explain all sport authorities the key-stones of high-level sport. We were discussing the necessity of a big organization with professional support, the focusing to important things and to respect the timing.

Few days before my leaving for Prague I felt that my minister didn’t understand really what means prepare to next Olympic Games. We are now only one season before Olympic selection. So, I went there to work with him and help myself to get enough money from government, companies and all people in order to be in better position before Olympic selection.

For me it was really hard to just have look on internet results and not compete against other paddlers. I have train really hard this season and I’m not on race to know what my level is. I keep focus on the future and that is the only thing that give me enough energy to keep working with my national authorities.

For sure I will be on coming World Championships in Tacen. Just for now I wish the work in Togo will be over soon to jump back on my boat to do my job on water.

In the same time, in Togo we prepare with my coach a youth camp. It should be done at the beginning of August for 100 kids. The goal is to show what is our sport and let them practice with people.

Benjamin

Thank you for your letter, we wish you enough energy to keep doing great things.