From our special correspondent in Tokyo,
We went to look for him by the pass of the mixed zone, while the Blues still had their heads in the clouds after this incredible final against Russia. Kevin Tillie only had to come back twice to serve, he didn’t play much the rest of the time, but the coach’s son was as moved for him as for Laurent Tillie, who will leave his post on the most beautiful awards after nine years at the helm. He confided his emotion to 20 minutes.
How does it feel to have this medal around your neck?
It is very very heavy, we do not expect it, it is huge. It’s crazy, we can not yet realize. It’s clear that after we ended two ends to nothing, they started to play well. Often the tie-break in this case, you lose it. But this group pushes, it pushes, we give everything, no matter what. My father said before that we were going to die on the pitch… We try to survive from the start, we gave everything to win.
This victory in the snatch, it looks like you, after all, doesn’t it?
That’s what we also said to each other in two sets everywhere when we regrouped before the tie-break. “It’s nothing, guys it will be even more beautiful like that”. We did it on purpose. It’s better to win like that even if it could have been quieter. The first set, we were badly embarked all along. There was a challenge for us and I told the group that this was the moment that was going to change the game. Well, after they equalize with two sets everywhere, we can say that it is another turning point. Being able to reverse this tie-break to win is completely crazy.
How does it feel to see his father and his coach go away on such an incredible accomplishment?
He’s been working hard for nine years, I don’t know how he managed to hold this group together for so long, because we’re unbearable (laughs). It’s so unexpected to end on this. I saw it in 2016 when the Brazilian player Bruno won with his father in Rio, I thought it would be crazy to do it one day. And there we are. It’s something you imagine, being able to do it is crazy, especially with a group of friends. We laugh from morning until evening. We mess around all the time, even when we lose!
Did you have a moment together to share this between father and son?
No, not really, but we see each other often (smile). There are small steps, we say it without saying it. He was stressed all the way, it’s not easy.
Is it a relief that he’s gone, between us?
It’s been nine years. Since he is my coach, he’s not too much of a father. Now it’s going to do me good to come home with a dad who won’t piss me off with volleyball (laughs). And if he says something to me, I will tell him that I am Olympic champion. I’m relieved he’s quitting, it’s really hard, even if it’s crazy emotions.
Are you finally gonna be able to call him daddy?
Yes ! During training I said it once this summer I believe without doing it on purpose, the others were laughing out loud. But normally I don’t say it, I don’t even call it. I didn’t even say “coach” to him, it would be even more bizarre and the others would be even more laughing out loud. In fact I never call him, I never listen to him, I never speak to him. Maybe that’s why I don’t play.