1. Digne-les-Bains: a return to sport program
The figures are clear: the agglomeration community of Digne-les-Bains (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) comes out on top for swimming pools and bowling alleys as well as fitness trails. These are at the heart of the territory’s strategy, labeled “Maison sport-santé” by the State in 2021. “We want to support those who do not do any activities, often the over 60s and the chronically ill “, specifies Lucille Thiebot, its coordinator.
“A twelve-week return to sport program” is offered by general practitioners, with hiking or aquagym sessions. “At the end, we carry out a complete assessment and direct them to the clubs in the territory.” Since its launch, this free device has been used by 200 people.
2. Sarreguemines: priority for gymnasiums
With 12 athletics tracks and 52 playgrounds, the urban community of Sarreguemines Confluences (Moselle) offers a wide range of activities to its inhabitants. Each year, it devotes from 450,000 to 1 million euros to the renovation of its five gymnasiums for colleges, high schools and associations in its 38 municipalities.
“This money is used for energy renovation, the creation of storage spaces and accessibility for people with disabilities”, notes Athéna Arendt, the head of the sports equipment department. At the end of 2023, a sixth complex will open. Composed of a gymnasium, a large multifunctional room and a fencing room, it will be able to host competitions. Amount of work: 15 million euros.
3. Chaumont: Olympic Games objective
The agglomeration community (AC) of Chaumont (Haute-Marne) stands out above all for the quality of its Palestra centre. Open to the public in 2021, the latter includes an aquatic area and a modular multipurpose room, with a maximum capacity of 3,257 seats. “We welcome here both the professional volleyball club of Chaumont and international delegations preparing for the world championships”, welcomes Bruno Weingaertner, the sports director.
In 2020, Palestra was even chosen among the preparation centers offered to the 2024 Olympic delegations. Among the disciplines selected, volleyball or wheelchair basketball. To the great satisfaction of Stéphane Martinelli, the president of the CA, proud “to also promote Paralympic disciplines”.
4. Vesoul: triathlon for everyone
Ranked fourth, Vesoul (Haute-Saône) is best known for its triathlon organized every year since 1984. “The last edition, in August 2022, attracted 500 participants from all over France”, explains Claude Jamrozik, president of the Vesoul Triathlon group. Haute-Saône, at the initiative of the event. As always, one day was accessible to children and people with disabilities. “Teams of three took turns in swimming, cycling and running. Volunteers accompanied the youngest and those in wheelchairs.” In 2018, Vesoul also chaired the youth selections for the French championship. Claude Jamrozik remembers: “To accommodate the 1,000 participants, we had to requisition the high school dormitories.”
5. Saumur: disability mission
Fifteen athletics tracks, 10 swimming pools and 17 equestrian centres: in addition to the richness of its sports offer, the Saumur Val de Loire community (Maine-et-Loire) can boast of having seven associations labeled “Sport santé Pays de the Loire”, a name that sanctions the ability to accommodate people with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Like the Karate Club of Gennes, one of whose members suffers from a mental handicap. “The lessons with him are less focused on cardio. We adapt to his rhythm”, illustrates Irène Salles, the club’s teacher. Same approach at the Saumur cycling center. “We have a person with a cane who rides an indoor bike, underlines Jean-Jacques Toulis, the president of the structure. The goal is to include everyone.”