From the Paris Olympic Games to the Cirque du Soleil in a year: the new dream life in Mexico by Raphaëlle Plante, artistic swimmer

Last summer. Similarly, Raphaëlle Plante made one of her dreams by performing in the pool of the Olympic Aquatic Center in Paris. In addition, A year later, the Quebecer will see another material. Moreover, No more Olympic athlete’s life, the 22 -year -old artistic swimmer will now be one of the Cirque du Soleil artists.

“It’s a change!” It’s very different. Moreover, It is a new state of mind, explains the artistic swimmer of Quebec. In addition, But it’s a mailver: we create a new show from A to Z. Moreover, ”

Photo provided paris olympic games cirque du by Raphaëlle Plant

Raphaëlle Plant will participate in production LUDOwhich will take the poster at the end of the year in Nuevo Vallarta, a Mexican city located about fifteen kilometers from Puerto Vallarta, in the west of the country.

A crazy week

The Olympian put down his suitcases a little over a week ago. Moreover, in the hotel complex where the athletes of the new show will reside for the next two years.

Two days earlier, she was in Singapore with the Canadian delegation for the final competition of her career. Meanwhile, Goodbye with her teammates alongside which. Meanwhile, for the most part, she has spent the last five years have not been easy. Additionally, Meanwhile, They were “emotional”, specifies Plante.

Photo taken from the Instagram account @raphalleplante

However, his decision had been made for a long time. For example, “After the games, I wondered if I wanted to continue for another four years. For example, I liked it. Meanwhile, but my body was starting to say no, even if I could have continued for a while, ”she says.

But there was also this very busy and rigorous routine to which high -level athletes indulge. A single day of break during the week. largely devoted to the preparation of meals for other days, which are occupied by training.

The gym every day. the routines in the water: Raphaëlle Plant loved artistic swimming, her team, except that she “needed a mental and physical break”. She therefore paris olympic games cirque du sent her candidacy to the Cirque du Soleil last year after the games.

Photo taken from the Instagram account @raphalleplante

A family tie

This wish to work for the most famous circus in the world is not the result of chance: his dad, Éric, was a musician and musical director for the organization when she was small. He still works for her today.

Plante has also lived in Las Vegas aged 7 to 14, due to the use of his father. It was by accompanying her behind the scenes that she fell in love with synchronized swimming. In a few paris olympic games cirque du months. the loop will be completed: it is Raphaëlle who will performe for the circus, in the water, of course (Read below).

Photo provided by Raphaëlle Plant

She received confirmation when she was in Egypt for a competition in April. Basically. Plant had its aims on the show Oin Vegas, but she was even more excited when she learned that she would be part of a new production where she could develop her character.

“In artistic swimming, despite the” artistic “name, it is less and less focused on art. Everyone is made a bit the same, mentions the athlete. […] paris olympic games cirque du Here, it’s super interesting to rub shoulders with artists, to see what they are capable of doing, their talent. ”

“And in addition, it’s in Mexico!” she adds, excited by her new life.

From art to sunsets

Raphaëlle Plante explains that several synchronized swimming athletes retire the competition at the same age as it. even if some continue it until the end of twenty.

Sometimes it is the body that says that he can’t take it anymore. Other times, they want to focus on their studies. In the case of Quebecers, she wanted to explore this more artistic section.

Plante is still training – it will do it more. more in the coming weeks – in anticipation of the new show, but it discovers a new life.

Photo provided by Raphaëlle Plant

“I gradually realize that this is not the end of the world if I go to bed at 10:30 p.m. rather than 9 p.m. No need to make my meals for the whole week in advance: I can take the time to dine. ”she says.

All by the sea, where “the sunsets are magnificent!” Lance plant. “It’s very green,” she adds.

“It’s different from Montreal, huh?” We ask him.

“Oh yes!” replies the new “retired”.

Paris olympic games cirque du

From the Olympic basin to the theater

Obviously. we can come out Raphaëlle plant artistic swimming, but we cannot get it out of the water. For LUDOthe new Cirque du Soleil show in Mexico, the Quebec swimmer will once paris olympic games cirque du again find herself in her element.

Mayan water and civilization will be at the heart of this new presentation of the circus. Plant. another artist-also an Olympian, the Brazilian Nayara Figueira-will swim together in a swimming pool, which will gradually become a tube climbing in the middle of the stage, she explains to us. They will be accompanied by other artists.

The whole will take place in a theater in the heart of the good Luxury Theme Park of Vidantaworld. in the form of supper-spectacle. The first performances for the general public will take place in December.

Photo provided by Raphaëlle Plant

paris olympic games cirque du

As artists reside in a hotel complex, they are taken to the theater by cart for their rehearsals.

This proximity won the Quebecer when the offer to move to Mexico for two years presented herself to her.

Between her last artistic swimming competition. her first training with the Cirque du Soleil, she only had two days for the last preparations for the move.

“If I had been to Las Vegas, I should also have found accommodation, a car. It would have been a lot of paperwork! ” she underlines, happy with her new life.