Benoît Campion (born 12 February 1998) is a French track and field athlete, sponsored by New Balance[1] and member of the Stade Brestois Athlétisme[2]

Benoît Campion
Personal information
National teamÉquipe de France d'athlétisme
Born (1998-02-12) 12 February 1998 (age 26)
Brest
Sport
CountryFrance
SportAthletics
Event(s)800 metres, 1500 metres, Cross-country
University teamAmerican International College
ClubStade Brestois Athlétisme
Turned pro2024
Coached byÉric Kerjean (2012-2013)

Robert Cariou (2013-2018) Leo Mayo (2018-2020)

Sébastien Gamel (2020...)
Achievements and titles
World finalsWorld Champion at FISU Games
Personal bests
  • 800 m: 1:49.43 (2023)
  • 1500 m: 3:34.34 (2023)
Medal record
Summer World University Games
Gold medal – first place 2021 Chengdu 1500 m

He was the flag bearer at opening ceremony and he won a gold medal in the 1500 metres at the 2021 Summer World University Games.[3]

Biography

edit

Young years

edit

Benoît was born in Brest, Britanny, on the 12th February 1998.

Before he started track and field, he used to play football for the Stade Brestois 29.

After winning some cross-country races at school, he decided to stop playing football and started athletics in 2012.

He joined the Stade Brestois Athlétisme and started doing middle distance races.

2012-2018

edit

Benoît showed very quickly his talent for running by winning some cross-country races[4] and doing great performances on the track.

He ran a 2'56''6 on his first 1000m.[5]

He improves his personal bests years after years, showing his talent mainly on 800m and 1500m.

In the same time, he studies medicine at Brest University (UBO).[6]

2018-2020

edit

After 2 years of studying medicine, he decides to focus on track and field and goes to the United Stades, becoming a student athlete at American International College.[7]

By increasing his volume of training, he makes a lot of progress and quickly become one of the best middle distance runner of the University. He manages to run 3'43 on 1500m that places him among the best french athletes.

2020

edit

COVID-19 forces him to come back to France earlier, and prevents him from competing in the US. He participates to his first "Championnat de France Élite" in September.

2021

edit

He joins the training group coached by Sébastien Gamel in Toulouse.

2022

edit

Tricky season where Benoit struggles to beat his personal best due to some injuries. However, he doesn't give up.

2023

edit
 
Benoit Campion, World Champion at the FISU Games

He improves a lot his level, smashing his PBs, winning a bronze medal on 1500m at French Indoor Championships and becomes FISU World Champion[8] on the 1500m.

 
Benoit Campion, professional runner

2024

edit

In January 2024, Benoit turns professional by signing a 4-year contract with New Balance[9] and wins a new bronze medal at French Indoor Championships on the 1500m race.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  2. ^ "À Brest, l'athlète Benoît Campion vise les JO de Paris 2024". Le Télégramme (in French). 2024-03-02. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  3. ^ "Benoît Campion médaillé d'or lors des Jeux Mondiaux Universitaires". Le Télégramme (in French). 3 August 2023.
  4. ^ "les Biographies". bases.athle.fr. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  5. ^ "les Résultats des Compétitions". bases.athle.fr. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  6. ^ Ouest-France (2023-04-06). "Brest. Étudiant en médecine, Benoît est aussi un champion d'athlétisme". Ouest-France.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  7. ^ "Benoit Campion". American International College. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  8. ^ "Toulouse. Benoît Campion : un baptême du feu chez les grands". ladepeche.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  9. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
edit