the effects of the Paralympic Games are felt
After attending wheelchair rugby, fencing and wheelchair basketball demonstrations, the public was also able to tester different disciplines. For the 20th edition ofHandisport party, this Saturday, September 25 in Toulouse, a signing session was also organized with 5 Toulouse athletes back from the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
“In the beginning, the goal of this event was to make disabled sports known. Now, it is really to promote the sport itself. And today, we feel an attendance that we see every 4 years, after the Paralympic Games. Airtime makes things popular “, explains Bernard Darrées, president of the Regional Handisport Committee of Occitanie.
He also noted a increase in club registrations. “People with disabilities say to themselves: finally, I too can do it. They are no longer afraid of the eyes of others”, he continues.
Popular athletes
After chatting with Ugo Didier, silver and bronze medalist in para-swimming, the young Romain has stars in his eyes. “I’m super happy to have an autograph, it’s amazing that he’s here! I followed his entire journey on TV with my grandparents”, he confides. His mother, Sylvie, welcomes the interest of this event for disability awareness.
Back from the Tokyo Paralympic Games, behind closed doors, five Toulouse athletes were able to appreciate their return with the public: Ugo Didier, Jonathan Hivernat, Matthieu Thiriet, Dimitri Pavadé and Maxime Valet.
Bronze medalist para-fencer in Tokyo, Maxime Valet felt a real craze since his return.
“We did not realize how much we were followed in Tokyo, it is when we got back that we understood. We are recognized in the street, congratulated, it’s heartwarming. Lots of people were not necessarily sensitized, but they became interested in the Games and took to the game. The games are fleeting, and we must ensure that it runs out of steam as little as possible, to make as many people as possible to practice sport “, considers the athlete.