“A surreal human adventure”, Montpellier's Julien Lyneel looks back on his superb career concluded by the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Julien Lyneel (center) is now a spectator of French sport. MAXPPP – DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

More than 200 selections with the Blues, successes galore, a club career in the best championships in the world concluded by a title of champion of France with the MHSC VB and two last years of beach volleyball until the Olympics, the volleyball player from Montpellier has just drawn a line under an exceptional sporting career.

Why did you decide to retire from sports at 34 years old? ?

The last two years of beach volleyball with the Olympic project were enriching but also energy-consuming. After the Olympic Games, I needed to take a breather for a few months. I realized that I have rarely felt so good about myself, I feel a kind of lightness, of well-being that marks the end of my sports career and reveals the beginning of my second life.

Would the kid born in Montpellier have imagined knowing such a rich history? ?

Everything happened very quickly. I dreamed of this journey but I never would have imagined it. Becoming a pro, the first selection with the French team, the trophies… And finishing with this title of French champion 2022 with Montpellier and the participation in the Olympic Games in beach volleyball in Paris, I feel like a privileged person.

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What do you remember from your volleyball career ?

It was incomparably rich. I had experiences abroad, with the Blues… It was the French team that allowed us to move abroad, to play in the best championships. It took sacrifices to go to Poland or China alone, but it was a surreal human adventure.

Do you particularly remember one or more moments??

In 2013, with the French team, we won two Nations League matches in Brazil, revealing successes, that's when this famous Team Yavbou was born. We became aware of what we were capable of doing. I also remember the European Championship in France with matches in Montpellier in 2019, a culmination for me, the period when I played my best volleyball. And then, once again, becoming French champion in Montpellier and the Olympic Games are special moments. Not to mention the medal at a stage of the world beach volleyball circuit, an important moment.

Considering your jovial personality, weren't human adventures the most important? ?

Thanks to my career, I made friends. I think I gave a good image of myself, that people see me as someone happy, sincere, honest, someone accessible, humble who has never cheated. It is an image that I have always wanted to give with joy, humor, lightness.

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