Less than 500 days from the Paralympic Games in Paris, scheduled from August 28 to September 8, 2024, the 4th edition of the “La Relève” program took place on April 15 and 16 at Insep, the temple of high-level sport. French, in Vincennes. Twenty-five athletes with disabilities were selected upstream and were present to test their physical abilities, under the gaze of representatives of federations who came to spot the champions of tomorrow. Also under the watchful eye of three-time Paralympic athletics champion Marie-Amélie Le Fur, president of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee, these athletes have surpassed themselves to hope to wear the tricolor jersey at the next Paralympic Games.
Givenr the best of oneself in the hope of finding the ideal sport. This is the objective shared by the 25 participants of the 4th edition of “La Relève”. They are offered tests of speed, balance, skill or strength to assess each person’s abilities, to the delight of Etienne, delighted to try out several disciplines. : “ It’s really good that they allow us to orient ourselves towards sports that we may not have chosen, but which are made for us. And there are sports – for example, rowing, canoeing – that I do not see myself specifically do, but I think trying it can turn into a passion. »
Basketball, rowing, archery, the possibilities are deliberately very broad. Eleven federations were present to detect the potential talents of tomorrow. It’s the case para-climbingdiscipline in pole to integrate the program of the Games in Los Angeles in 2028. The opportunity for its referent, Hélène Lerouge, to present the challenges to come: “ The idea is to be able, as we are a new federation that is moving towards a Paralympic Games objective, to have the public who enters our para-climbing classification system. »
To see further
And for good reason, as Paris 2024 approaches, “La Relève” aims to see further. According to Marie-Amélie Le Fur, President of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee, “ “Succession“, indeed, it is really a research project for competitive profiles who could participate in the next Games with an X and an S, whether they are the Summer Games, the 2024 Winter Games, but also beyond. »
But this day allows above all to weave links, times of exchange between the participants, allowing them to get to know each other. A good thing, according to Etienne: “ I was able to exchange with many people who do not have the same pathology as me. And it also allows me to see the feeling. “La Relève” is really suitable for everyone, whether in a seated or standing position. Everyone is happy to be there and give the maximum ! »
This is also the purpose of coming of Abel Aber, whose right leg was amputated in 2003, and detected in 2019 by the next generation. The Vosgien, who now dreams of participating in the Games in Paris in para-canoeis all smiles: “ Talk a little with them, get to know a little about their experience, share mine with them. We’re having a great time. And if I can encourage others to live this adventure… »
Like him four years ago, several participants try their hand at disciplines that were theirs, untilthen, unknowns. Enough to give rise to unexpected passions. The beginning of a few careers perhaps too.