Written by Trackandmemes, February 10, 2022
My name is Cedric Motieh. I just turned 17 years old and I've been doing track and field for six years at the RFCL which is a Belgian club in the province of Liege. I have always loved running since I was a child. Running has always been a part of me, I think. When I saw track and field competitions on TV, I knew that was what I wanted to do. So after a year of swimming, I started track and field. I have a record of 6.96 for 60 meters. This is the fifth Belgian performance of all time in the school category. I also did 10.93 on 100 meters and 22.25 on 200 meters.
For the moment, I had the opportunity to do the LBFA championships (Ligue belge Francophone d'Athlétisme) where I was champion on 60 meters. But last outdoor season, I was LBFA vice-champion on 100 meters, and I participated in the pre-program of the Vandame Memorial on 100m.
As a cadet, I obtained the second Belgian performance of all time on 60 meters by being Belgian champion. And the year before, I was third in Belgium on 60.
Who are the people who have helped you the most to become what you are today in the world of athletics?
My coach of course; Roger Lespagnard. I have been training with him for 4 years now, and it is mainly because of him that I am the athlete you see on the track today. He trains sprinters who perform up to the 400 meters. Jumpers too. And he coaches Nafissatou Thiam who does a little bit of everything, since she does the heptathlon. That's what I like about Roger. In the technical aspect of athletics, he has knowledge on many events and he knows how to correct us so that we can improve. We say he has a good eye!
I know I can count on the support of my family who will always be behind me. I can also count on my training group and my club.
Who would you like to run like? And why?
Personally, I wouldn't want to look like any one athlete. I like many athletes for different reasons. If I could take a few running and personality characteristics from some athletes, I would like to have the speed and explosiveness of Cristian Coleman. The technique and pace of Grant Holloway. The relaxation of Usain Bolt. Trayvon Bromell's ability to rebound and perseverance...
Having multiple role models is a good way to create the athlete you want to become.
Do you have any expectations or goals this year?
This indoor season, I don't really have a goal, except to run as fast as possible and improve my personal bests. My goal is more outdoor. I'm aiming to qualify for the U18 European Championships in Jerusalem, Israel in the 100 and 200 meters.
Everything I do now is focused on these championships.
It's a big goal, but I'll do anything to get there.
Can you see yourself representing Belgium at the international level?
Yes of course. I would love to do Team Belgium in international championships. It would be more than a satisfaction to represent my country in an international level.
Track and field is a big part of my life. It's the activity I love doing the most. If one day I have the opportunity to do it for a living, I would definitely not say no. But besides that, I would like to study and get a degree. Because all it takes is one injury to stop everything. At least if it's ever going to happen, I'll have a plan B. I can't predict the future... But maybe in a few years, the desire won't be there.
Do you already know what you're going to do later on?
As a profession, lately I'm really interested in the medical world. I think that after my rhetoric, I would study medical imaging. It would be to become a medical imaging technician. But it's not certain yet. I am still learning about my future choices.
What have you learned from your experiences to date?
I learned to listen to my body more. I went through a period where I grew up all of a sudden. It was complicated because I was hurting myself often and in all places. Now, it is better.
I also learned that I needed to trust myself more. I understood that I was capable of achieving certain things or enduring certain races. But most of all, I realized that in athletics, you don't get anything without training and consistency.
So what would you say to the next Cedric Motieh? To the next one being able to reach your level as young as you are, and aspiring to more?
I would tell him that it won't always be easy. That there will be ups and downs. That he will have to stay strong and tell himself that he is capable of overcoming the difficulties. But above all, that he must let his body grow, listen to it and learn where his limits are!
There's no need to rush.
An anecdote?
Mmmhh... It's complicated haha... I remember after the lockdown, we went back to track practice and at the first session, I gave myself so much that I didn't take it. After the last race, I was so bad that I fell in the middle of the track. I lay there for at least 30 minutes, close to vomiting. I couldn't feel my legs.
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