The French climber won her first World Cup medal in Prague, but still has some doubts
Ahead of the IFSC World Cup Bern 2025 I had the intention of writing a preview for the event and thought that France’s Agathe Calliet would be quite good to speak to because she was coming off the back of a first medal on the World Cup stage.
However, sometimes in this job, you start talking to people and feel the answers they give need a bit more space and a simple few lines won’t do them justice – and this is one of those times.
Having started at the IFSC in 2022, my first big events were the IFSC European Championships in Munich, Germany and the IFSC Youth World Championships in Dallas, USA – Agathe was at both. Going to the Youth Worlds is great, you meet the next generation, and you get to follow some through to the World Cup level and beyond on a regular basis, Agathe is one of those climbers for me.
As a young climber - Agathe is 21, and I say young because I am definitely not 21 – she is part of a team that has a long tradition and history of being a strong climbing nation, and this can sometimes weigh heavy on someone new, so what does Agathe think about this?
“It’s a real honour to be part of the French team. There’s so much talent, passion, and history in this group. Sometimes before, I even felt like I wasn’t strong enough to be part of this amazing team - so being here now makes it all the more meaningful.”
This won’t be the first time that Agathe questions something she shouldn’t. You don’t often get to the heights you get to if you don’t deserve it or aren’t 'strong enough'.
Agathe continues: “We push each other, support each other, and share the same love for climbing.”
Reflecting on being part of the French set up at the IFSC World Cup Prague Agathe said; “This weekend was a bit different - some team members were missing, and a few new ones competed for the first time this year - but the energy was more than great. It’s always special to share this journey with them.
“Everyone brings something valuable to the group. Seeing so many medals this weekend was incredible, especially Sam’s - he’s like a little brother to me; we grew up together.
“I’m proud to contribute however I can, it’s amazing to represent my country, even if the selections are stressful. Every year, it’s a battle to make the team!”
Calliet certainly did contribute and now goes into the history books as a World Cup winner for a nation with a proud history. So how does that feel?
“It feels really nice, even with the strange circumstances, it’s still a medal, and I’m trying not to bring myself down too much. These kinds of weather-related situations have happened before, and they’ll probably happen again.
“I haven’t won many medals in my life, and I often missed the podium in important comps in youth, so it feels good as an athlete to get a bit of recognition. It’s a beautiful reward, but it won’t change everything - I’ll still be me!
“I’m still proud even if it didn’t happen exactly the way I had imagined.”
Agathe should definitely be proud. Sport throws up tests all the time for athletes. In this instance, everyone faced the same test. The weather may have cut short the competition, but Agathe put herself in the position she did, and she should be proud of that.
But how does she really feel about the situation?
“It’s honestly bittersweet. I’m grateful for the medal, of course, but I would have loved nothing more than to climb that final. It would’ve felt more right - like I truly earned it.”
I totally understand what Agathe means when she says ‘felt more right’ – but again, she is questioning something she shouldn’t. She won that medal in the circumstances that presented themselves at the time.
“Even finishing eighth, a World Cup final is an unforgettable moment. It’s something you remember your whole life. And it’s good for the experience.
“Not being able to do that felt frustrating, and honestly, a bit empty. But I try to respect the situation, the decisions, and accept that it wasn’t in my hands anyway.”
On a human level, I hope that this ‘emptiness’ doesn’t affect her future competitions – the mental side of sport is just as important as the physical. So, how is she feeling about the next competition in Bern, Switzerland?
“Even though it’s my first time doing the whole season - and I’m a bit exhausted - I’m still really looking forward to Bern. It’s another chance to show up, express myself, keep improving, and keep learning!”
Any expectations now she is a World Cup medallist?
“I don’t want to set expectations too high. I’m just trying to take each comp one step at a time, stay healthy, stay focused, and enjoy it. That’s when I climb my best — when I’m relaxed.”
The IFSC returns to Bern after hosting the IFSC Climbing and Para Climbing World Championships in 2023, and although Agathe wasn’t at that event she still has fond memories of the Swiss capital:
“Actually, Bern - more accurately Ostermundigen - is where I did my first international comp ever, the European Youth Cup in Lead back in 2019 when I was in Youth A. It’s not so far from home, so I know the city a bit. And I also know it’s a bit expensive,” she says with a laugh.
Athletes have remarked positively at the crowds at the IFSC World Cup’s this season – from Curitiba to Prague, and with a return to Bern, we will be hoping for more of the same:
“Let’s see how the Swiss crowd will be. My friends will probably come too, like they did for the European Championships in Villars, so I’m really excited. It’s going to be a great show. I’m so happy to be back on the continent after a long trip to Brazil and the USA.”
We are all hoping for a great show in Bern, and Agathe specifically, I really hope she does. Winning a first World Cup medal without a final has left her with some doubts about ‘belonging’ on the podium - I’m sure nothing I say can change that - so I hope that she returns to the World Cup podium one day and hopefully that will give Prague more meaning and fulfilment that she is deserved of that medal.
