When he is announced on the speaker’s microphone, Arnaud Assoumani is greeted by cheers from the crowd. However, at 10 o’clock, the Stade de France is still sparse. The spectators arrive in dribs and drabs. But neither the rain nor the coolness of this Tuesday, September 3, have got the better of their motivation. On this new morning of para-athletics, many groups of children in colorful vests are present in the stands.
And if the French adults have shown their passion but also their chauvinism throughout the Paris 2024 Games, the young schoolchildren, for their part, encourage everyone with a smile and celebrate each world record and each victory as if it were French. “Children of the Stade de France, are you having a good morning? Is it better than school?” asks the mistress of ceremonies of the day into the microphone. “Yes!” the young students answer in chorus.
Also read Arnaud Assoumani: “France is behind, the Paralympic Games must serve as a legacy”
But their hero remains Arnaud Assoumani, one of the great stars of Paralympic sport. It is his face that is used on the posters of these Games, it is also he who was invited to the famous Vogue World fashion show at Place des Vosges in June. With his model looks and his talent as a speaker, Arnaud Assoumani has become over the years a respected and listened to spokesperson for the cause of people with disabilities in France. We are not…
- ParisMatch
