Manon Genet

Manon first discovered triathlon at the age of 18, but it wasn’t until a few years later that she got really serious about the sport. Until then her studies had been her priority.

Triathlon became her job at the age of 27 when she realised she had “everything to gain by giving it a try”. So far it is turning out to be a wise decision.

The French star, born in La Rochelle, has showed great promise at both 70.3 and over full distance, as well as a string of podiums she claimed 70.3 victories at both Pays d’Aix and Nice in 2018.

In 2019 there was more to provide encouragement for the future as she placed an excellent eighth in the 70.3 World Championship on home soil in Nice.

As for the full distance, Genet has claimed podiums at what are her two favourite races (third in Malaysia in 2017 and Wales in 2019), while she also took on the challenge of the Big Island when finishing 31st in the World Championship in Kona in 2018.

Pain is almost a staple for top-level triathletes but one race which stands out for Manon was her first IRONMAN podium in Malaysia in 2017.

“I was fighting to keep the third place when Saleta Castro was running faster after me. Ten very long kms!.”

When she is not competing, Manon loves holidays in the Pyrenees, Brittany and the French Riviera, while her favourite treat meal is crepes with chocolate.

Growing up Genet was a massive Disney fan, so it’s unsurprising that Pocahontas was one of her heroes along with NBA legend Michael Jordan and famous French politician Simone Veil.

Manon is driven by “being the best version of myself and pushing back boundaries,” while her sage advice for budding racers is: “It is not over until you cross the line. In long distance, everything can happen”.