Sports
Julien Wanders at the Credit Suisse Sports Awards
We talked to the Franco/Swiss runner Julien Wanders at the Sports Awards last week. The 23 years old had raced the day before in Sion where he finished Number 1 of the race Course Titzé de Noël. He was very happy and proud to have been nominated in the category “best Swiss athlete of the year”. Last year he had come as Newcomer.
He told us he won´t forget his European record at the Houilles Corrida where he finished 1st of the 10 km in 27:25. He continued in saying he trains to beat records so it was amazing. In 2020 his focus will be the Olympics in Tokyo where he will be competing in the 10.000 and maybe the 5000. His first goal of the year in March is the half-marathon championship. He already started preparing for that.
When we asked him if he has an advise for young athletes he replied “enjoy what you are doing and everything will come when it should. It is important to take time and enjoy every moment.”
The athlete lives in Kenya most of the year. The last two weeks he was traveling in Switzerland and had to get used to the colder temperatures. He likes his life in Africa with his girl friend who supports him daily. There he trains like the Kenyans in groups. He explains during the ceremony that they have a winning mentality.
Wanders holds the European record for half-marathon (59:13) and 10km (27:25). He also holds the world 5km record (13:29).
