Benoît Campion

{{Short description|French track and field athlete}}

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = Benoît Campion

| image = Benoit Campion, champion du monde universitaire.jpg

| sport = Athletics

| event = 800 metres, 1500 metres, Cross-country

| universityteam = American International College

| club = Stade Brestois Athlétisme

| turnedpro = 2024

| nationality =

| national_team = Équipe de France d'athlétisme

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|2|12|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Brest

| country = France

| coach = Éric Kerjean (2012-2013)

Robert Cariou (2013-2018)

Leo Mayo (2018-2020)

Sébastien Gamel (2020...)

| worlds = World Champion at FISU Games

| pb = {{Unbulleted list

|800 m: 1:49.43 (2023)

|1500 m: 3:34.34 (2023)}}

| medaltemplates = {{MedalCompetition|Summer World University Games}}

{{MedalGold|2021 Chengdu|1500 m}}

}}

Benoît Campion (born 12 February 1998) is a French track and field athlete, sponsored by New Balance{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C12Cg5KNvdv/ |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=www.instagram.com}} and member of the Stade Brestois Athlétisme{{Cite web |date=2024-03-02 |title=À Brest, l’athlète Benoît Campion vise les JO de Paris 2024 |url=https://www.letelegramme.fr/finistere/brest-29200/a-brest-lathlete-benoit-campion-vise-les-jo-de-paris-2024-6536593.php |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=Le Télégramme |language=fr-FR}}

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.{{cite web |title=Benoît Campion médaillé d’or lors des Jeux Mondiaux Universitaires |url=https://www.letelegramme.fr/sports/athletisme/benoit-campion-medaille-dor-lors-des-jeux-mondiaux-universitaires-6405033.php |website=Le Télégramme |language=fr |date=3 August 2023}}

Biography

= Young years =

Benoît was born in Brest, Brittany, on 12 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 =

Benoît showed very quickly his talent for running by winning some cross-country races{{Cite web |title=les Biographies |url=https://bases.athle.fr/asp.net/athletes.aspx?base=biographies&seq=5049475249504455445544554356&structure=0 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=bases.athle.fr}} and doing great performances on the track.

He ran a 2'56''6 on his first 1000m.{{Cite web |title=les Résultats des Compétitions |url=https://bases.athle.fr/asp.net/athletes.aspx?base=resultats&seq=4554504950495148514848514554&saison=2012 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=bases.athle.fr}}

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).{{Cite web |last=Ouest-France |date=2023-04-06 |title=Brest. Étudiant en médecine, Benoît est aussi un champion d’athlétisme |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/brest-29200/brest-etudiant-en-medecine-benoit-est-aussi-un-champion-dathletisme-4e9dfb90-d441-11ed-9ac7-eaa9c5a6ae5a |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Ouest-France.fr |language=fr}}

= 2018-2020 =

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.{{Cite web |title=Benoit Campion |url=https://www.aicyellowjackets.com/sports/mxc/2018-19/bios/Benoit_Campion |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=American International College |language=en}}

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 =

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 =

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

= 2022 =

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

= 2023 =

File:Benoit Campion, champion du monde universitaire.jpg

He improves a lot his level, smashing his PBs, winning a bronze medal on 1500m at French Indoor Championships and becomes FISU World Champion{{Cite web |title=Toulouse. Benoît Campion : un baptême du feu chez les grands |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/2023/09/18/benoit-campion-un-bapteme-du-feu-chez-les-grands-11460976.php |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=ladepeche.fr |language=fr}} on the 1500m.

File:240114-BC-Media-Day-@hugo aussenac-003.jpg

= 2024 =

In January 2024, Benoit turns professional by signing a 4-year contract with New Balance{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C12Cg5KNvdv/ |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=www.instagram.com}} and wins a new bronze medal at French Indoor Championships on the 1500m race.

References

{{Reflist}}