From the serving area of ​​a restaurant to the attention of the world stage

While seeing teammate Adam Siao Him Fa win the first of his two European titles was a turning point for Economides, it was another French figure skater who helped the 25-year-old realize the promise he made in a restaurant this January evening. .

European champion and double Olympian Florent Amodio began choreographing for Economides in 2016 and became its coach in March 2018. Known for his expressive programs, Amodio also helped introduce some of that charisma into his students’ repertoire.

“With Florent, I was his first student, so I was there before he opened his school,” says Economides. “I had him in private sessions, so he gave me a lot of tips for expressing myselfto no longer be shy on the ice and also in real life because he is a very extroverted person. So that helped me a lot. He helped me a lot to give to people, not just to stay in my bubble.”

Working with Amodio has also proven beneficial in other ways. Economides, who experienced a lack of self-confidence during his career, found in the person of the four-time French champion an understanding listener.

“Florent helped me a lot, even in bad times, even in good times. He was there. He was there every time” said Economides. “Sometimes I couldn’t pay him, so he would tell me, ‘It’s okay.’ If you give me (the best of yourself), I will give it back to you. I think I gave him what he expected.”

The coach-skater duo celebrated a breakthrough when Economides qualified for the 2024 European Championships thanks to his silver medal at the French national championships and then also earned a quota for the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships.

But even though it was a major accomplishment for Economides, conflicting thoughts kept him from fully savoring the moment.

“I had my place on the world circuit, but it’s very difficult to ask yourself: ‘Do I have my place and my qualification because Kevin Aymoz “I didn’t perform well at the French championships?” he said. “I asked myself: ‘Is this legit? Did I really earn the right to go to the European Championships? Did I earn my right to go to the Worlds?’.”

It wasn’t until Economides reflected on her results – a solid seventh place in the short program at the European Championships and 15th overall – that the imposter syndrome began to dissipate. He finished 21st in his Worlds debut.

“I said to myself, ‘This is where I want to be.’ I’m where I’m supposed to be“, said the French skater. “I had two good performances there at the European and World Championships, so I am very happy to have had this experience and it pushed me even further.”