French athlete breaks world rope climbing record in Eiffel Tower escapade
France’s two-time world obstacle course champion Anouk Garnier roped her way 110m up to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower on Wednesday, laying down a new world record and sending out a strong symbol of sporting achievement in the run-up to the Paris Games.
Garnier spent more than a year preparing to climb Paris's "iron lady" but it took her just 18 minutes to reach the second floor – 110m above the ground.
A climb that could would give most common mortals vertigo, but Garnier said she didn't suffer too much.
"I'm very focused on what I have to do, where I put my feet, I release a bit of tension in my arms, I take little breaks to relax. At that stage, I don't feel dizzy," she told BFM television.
The moment when she reached the top and had to let go of the rope did make her head spin a bit. But “it was such an amazing experience, an unbelievable opportunity, I really made the most of it", she said.
Garnier uses the moniker "the unstoppable" on her Instagram account, and her activities include mental strength coaching.
The Eiffel Tower challenge was also about raising funds for a cause close to her heart.
“My mother is suffering from cancer so it was important for me to push my limits for a good cause – to advance research into cancer treatment,” she told the tv station.
Crazy challenges
In May 2010, the triple rolling skating champion Taïg Khris took a leap of faith, jumping from the Eiffel Tower onto a 40-metre ramp built alongside the famous landmark.
Read more on RFI English
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