French-born Aussie paddler Lucien Delfour is aiming for Olympic gold at Tokyo. I caught up with the champion canoeist, before he headed off to compete!
Congratulations on being selected to represent Australia at the 2021 Olympics. Can you explain a bit about the sport of Canoe slalom?
It can be with either a canoe or kayak, and we navigate down what we call ‘gates’ on a whitewater channel, although it can be downstream or upstream. It’s very high intensity and the biggest challenge we face is the compromise between technique and the physical. It has to be balanced, so that one aspect doesn’t suffer too much and even though the whitewater does rush, it can change a lot. It’s all under pressure!
Having already competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, what do you find to be the best pinch yourself moment?
The Opening Ceremony. It’s pretty hard to explain, but it’s mind-blowing to see so many people around you. It’s totally cool. But race day was also pretty special. It’s a small sport and we’re not used to big crowds. For me, it was my first time competing in front of a few thousand people. Even during the warm up, I remember the noise of cheering and it was pretty special.
Olympian Lucien Delfour in action navigating down the ‘gates’ on a whitewater channel
COVID-19 has altered the Olympics. What are your expectations once you get to Tokyo?
The expectations are pretty high. We have to maintain really high standards of hygiene and physical distancing. We’ll be fairly isolated in a bubble and we’ve been vaccinated, but we’ll also have to wear masks at the opening ceremony. The tricky part will be going to Europe first for training in Munich and Prague, where they have been quite affected by COVID.
“We had a guy come out around 2012, and it was really well received.”
Are there any particular Olympians or sportspeople who inspire you?
The canoeist Tony Estanguet, who won Olympic gold in 2000, 2004 and 2012! He’s been to four games and he’s outstanding. I like him because he’s humble and reserved about his performance. That makes him a real winner to me.
Have you made international mates at the Olympics?
Yes, and for me one of the greatest things about being in the sport, is to make friends with the competitors. It takes a few years, because we’re a bit isolated in Australia and don’t see them as much, but eventually they become friends.
Canoe slalom competitor Lucien Delfour before heading to the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo
Are there any gay competitors in your sport?
We had a British guy in our community come out around 2012, and it was really well received. I wasn’t too surprised because we all kind of knew he was gay. He was really ‘out there’ and it was great to have that sort of personality in our sport. To be honest, there are actually more gay women than men.
Do you think high-profile athletes coming out are a bit of a non-issue these days?
I don’t think I’d agree with that. As a straight guy, I’m certainly okay with someone coming out and happy for them. But I’ve been on the international circuit for over ten years, and if I was the one coming out, I don’t think I’d feel comfortable. Something like that would be big news and I can only imagine how difficult that would be for people coming out. I think people would accept it, but it depends on the timing. About ten years ago a couple of lesbians came out in my sport’s community and they were certainly in the spotlight. But I guess times are changing and when a high profile person comes out, they do get a lot of support. For instance, whenever an actor has come out as transgender, the amount of support has been tremendous. One of my favourite actors is Ellen Page, and when she became Elliot Page I really noticed the support.
“It has to be balanced. Even though the whitewater does rush, it can change a lot” – Lucien Delfour
Have you been to the Sydney Mardi Gras?
I haven’t been to Mardi Gras, but I really want to! It looks pretty surreal. I have been into a gay bar, but it was kind of unknowingly (laughs).
Do you have a favourite dance-floor song?
It depends on the amount of alcohol consumed! The one that does come to mind is Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. That always comes up during festivals.
Who’s your music diva?
I’d say Julia Stone. Her voice is surreal. It’s the softest and sexiest thing on earth! I love her singing And The Boys. She’s even a little bit too relaxing.
“When one of my favourite actors Ellen Page came out as transgender, I really noticed the support.”
If you were gay, who would be the one?
Ewan McGregor is good-looking and I really like his personality. There’s also guys like Zac Efron and Joe Manganiello, but it’s just too much! (Laughing). Ewan was also really good in Trainspotting and he saved the Star Wars movies!
Lucien Delfour with Canoe Slalom team mates Jessica Fox and Daniel Watkins
What kind of training do you do away from the water?
Our sport is quite demanding physically and our arms and core have to be strong for balance, so we do quite a bit of gym. There’s no specific diet, but our power to weight ratio is quite important. Even though we try to be stronger, we have to also remain light because out boats are subject to our body weight in their design.
Do you have an Olympic tattoo?
I have the Olympic rings on my forearm! I got it about eight months after Rio, back home in Bondi. After I’ve raced in Tokyo, I’ll add to it. I’m not really a big tattoo person, but it’s something I’ve always wanted. It actually hurt when I had it done, as I have no fat on my forearm, just skin and muscle. It was two hours of pain, but it’s there forever!
What advice can you give to people wanting to take up canoe slalom, or even to go to the Olympics?
Be patient. I’ve seen a lot of younger paddlers give up because they couldn’t get to the senior level quick enough. Just because you make the national team once, doesn’t mean you’re going to automatically make the seniors. In our sport, and others like soccer and tennis, the difference in level between juniors and under-23 is fucking savage! It can hurt the ego, but you have to get used to it. I’ve seen quite a few athletes that couldn’t accept that, but the reality is it takes a few years to set your game. If you’re a world champion in your late twenties, you may have waited the extra years, but at least you got there.
Before competing what do you do to counter nerves and get ‘in the zone’?
I calm my nerves with a bit of meditation to bring the focus back. I’ll usually listen to some music on my playlist, while I think about the moves of the course. Maybe a bit of Kings of Leon or the Offspring.
So what’s the campest song on your playlist?
Sony by Bony M. It reminds me of London. I also like Rasputin. It featured in the French flick Poltergay, which is about gay ghosts in a mansion. It’s pretty funny.
Do you have a grooming or fashion tip?
If anything, I think I’m the one who needs advice! I do shampoo every day to avoid my hair getting greasy, but personally I don’t shave enough. I find it hurts like hell! (Laughs). As a fulltime athlete I don’t get to dress up that much, but I love to wear a suit. I like simple, but classy. Nothing too extravagant!
On the beach are you boardies or budgies?
Boardies! I can’t think of anything worse than budgie smugglers! They feel so naked. Credit to the swimmers and divers though. They wear them well.
And when it comes to underwear, are your briefs, fitted boxers or freeballs?
Fitted boxers. I find them quite comfortable to walk around the house in.
Follow Lucien at the Olympics on Instagram @luciendelfour
To learn a bit more about the sport of Canoe Slalom check out the cheatsheet below …
