“I wanted to give visibility to the cause”: A cycle tour of Europe to promote adapted sport

It’s a slightly crazy project that Faustine Orveillon has embarked on. In the summer of 2022, she already toured Great Britain for the French Association for Lowe Syndrome (ASL), a rare genetic disease that affects the eyes, brain and kidneys. This unforgettable experience pushed her, three years later, to take on a new, even greater challenge.

She has set herself the goal of completing a 19,000 kilometer tour of Europe with the sole company of her bicycle, on which no less than 42 kg are attached distributed in six panniers in order to transport her bivouac equipment, clothing and water. food. At the rate of around 70 kilometers per day (variable depending on the altitude and the weather), the 26-year-old Breton began her journey on January 2 in her region of origin to arrive this Tuesday evening in Agen.

“Adapted sport is less visible than disabled sport”

A four-day stage during which Faustine was able to meet several personalities and associations with the aim of promoting adapted sport, which is aimed at people with a psychological or mental disability. “It is less visible than disabled sports. I didn’t just want to make a trip like that, I wanted to give visibility to the cause. And it wears on me a little when I’m on the bike,” she judges.

To do this, she was able to discuss on Wednesday morning with trainers on adapted sport in detention and at school, as well as with Christian Lagarde, representative of the “Rugby without difference” association. This system helps promote access to the discipline for stabilized young people with mental or psychological disabilities.

She also spoke with Alain Klajman and Jean-Baptiste Chipy, respectively deputy for sport of the city of Agen and head of the sports department of the Agglomeration. They were thus able to discuss the measures put in place in the region and the actions carried out by the municipality in favor of disabilities. “We are very happy to receive her. Even if we are used to welcoming people who have taken bicycle trips, we wanted to mark the occasion for Faustine because the European dimension is rarer and there is a reflection on disability”, underlines Jean-Baptiste Chipy.

Several meetings with associations

The next day, before attending the Pro D2 meeting between SU ​​Agen and Biarritz Olympique at the Armandie stadium, Faustine was received by various associations, notably the mutual aid group (GEM) L'Étoile bleue and that of Assistance and Support for Interested Persons (AAPI). In this living space dedicated to people with mental disorders, she answered numerous questions for almost an hour on various subjects such as her journey, the weather conditions and even a possible romantic encounter during the journey…

She left this Friday for Spain and Portugal, before crossing France once again. From there, it will leave for Nordic countries like Finland and Norway and go down to Bulgaria. It will then resume its journey through the countries of Central Europe towards Brittany. Until then, Faustine will have time to create memories that will be engraved in her memory for life and to share this cause that is so close to her heart.