Sept. 5, 2007
By Erin Tulley
Purdue sports information student assistant
After an exciting summer of traveling and swimming with some of the top athletes in the world, Romain Maire is back at Purdue for another year with the Boilermakers. Maire swam for France this past August at the World University Games held in Bangkok, Thailand and competed in the 200 backstroke (2.02.3) and the 200 Individual Medley (2.05.8). His IM time was a second off his personal best.
Although Maire is back at Purdue - far removed from France or Thailand - the best swimmers in the world will continue to challenge him and the Boilermakers through the upcoming season. Maire is making everything a top priority for his senior year, especially a top-three finish for Purdue at the Big Ten Championships.
What was the trip to Bangkok like for the World University Games?
"Bangkok provided a real fast meet; it was fun. I didn't do as well as I expected, but (Purdue head coach) Dan (Ross) reassured me that this is just a transition period before my senior year. It was good to race with the best, and the level of competition there was incredible. Since there were no other major championships taking place this summer all the best athletes in the world were at this meet."
The Olympic Village featured shows, dances and Thai Boxing - it was a great atmosphere. It was cool just to have all the athletes from different countries staying in one place."
What was it like swimming for your home country of France?
"It was nice to be with my fellow countrymen again and I knew most of them because I have swam for French National teams before. With my other teammates there from Purdue (Giordan Pogioli, Zach Shultz and Amanda Miller) it was like I was at the meet with my two home teams, which was cool."
What originally made you decide to come all the way to Purdue from France?
"I wanted to go to a school with a good swimming program where I could compete against the best - and the Big Ten Conference is known as one of the fastest. I also wanted to go to a school with a good engineering program. I had a contact, Romain Barnier, who was a former swimmer for Auburn University and who knew
Dan Ross. Romain helped me get in touch with the Purdue program. And When I made my visit, I found I really liked the coaches and team."
What do you miss the most about France when you are here at Purdue?
"I miss my family and the European lifestyle, but when I am in France I miss Purdue. It's sometimes a hard situation but I can't complain. I really like how the cities in France have a storied history, especially my hometown of Dijon. I appreciate the way the buildings look over there."
I make sure when I go home that I don't take my social opportunities for granted; I like to enjoy my time with my friends because I am usually only home for a month or two at a time."
What are your senior season goals?
"The most important thing to me is the team goal. I think we have the best team in Purdue history and if everyone works hard at practice and behaves the way they are supposed to, I think we will achieve greatness.
We've finished in the top half at Big Tens the last few years and this year I really think it's possible to reach top three. It might be my last year of swimming so I really want it to happen."
I would also like to bring as many people as possible to NCAA's. Last year I only went with two other divers (Zach Shultz and Danny Cox) but this time I want more swimmers to come so we can make it more of a team effort."
You are known as one of Purdue's most versatile swimmers, but what's your favorite of all of your events?
"I perform best in the 200 back, but I have the most fun swimming the 200 IM. I have been swimming the 200 back for a while now and I have only been swimming the 200 IM since I came here to Purdue so I guess I'm not getting tired of it yet."
What meet are you looking forward to the most this season?
"Definitely the Big Ten Championships. I really like the atmosphere and the level of competition is great. I like the Big Ten's because you just bring your best 20 guys on the team and no one has to qualify for it so more people can go. It's easier to give your best performance when the team is behind you."
Do you have any pre-race traditions?
"No. I don't want to do anything consistently because if that one thing doesn't work you can freak out and perform poorly. I just like to relax, stay focused and be alone for a few minutes before my race, but I don't want to start any sort of tradition."
What are your plans for after graduation?
"I plan to go on a scientific mission with the University of Burgundy to Antarctica with my best friend from high school, Thibaut Fauconnet, who is on the French National speed skating team. I think it will be a neat experience. I would like to have a chance to go around the world before I get a job."
What do you think you will miss the most about Purdue when you leave?
"The team. The team is my life here."
What do you hope to pursue with your major in Aeronautical Engineering?
"I might work in the Aeronautical industry. I have a lot of interest in Formula 1 racing and there are a lot of aerodynamics involved within that field. But as of right now I don't know, it will depend on the opportunities that arise."
