The Department, with the participation of the ISPC (Connected Parasport Health Institute), once again played a major role in the lives of schools with the discovery of para sport. Thursday June 13, a fifth edition of the “Parascol’ympiques” took place in Rambouillet with the schoolchildren of Catherine de Vivonne and Rondeau. Jeanne Le Pêcheur, ambassador, para cyclist on the road and in time trials, was there, alongside Pierre Bédier, president of the Department.
For more than a year, the Department of Yvelines has been committed to raising awareness among young people about para sport, during days called “Parascol’ympics”. This time, it was the students of the Catherine de Vivonne and Rondeau colleges, in Rambouillet, who took part in this experience for a day. The goal ? Become aware of disability and discover para sport.
Educational and practical workshops…
On the occasion of these Parascol’ympics in Rambouillet, several workshops were organized and led by partners. On the program: presentation of adapted sport, meeting with the ISPC medical staff, educational quiz focused on the Paris 2024 JOPs and even tests of medical devices (prostheses).
Exciting discoveries which did not fail to impress the middle school students: “It’s unsettling at first. But now it’s okay. I trained three times”, Romain confided to us, calmly, about the testing of medical equipment. Activity stands were also set up within the sports complex of the Catherine de Vivonne establishment.
With three great athletes!
Indeed, the Rambouillet middle school students had the chance to discover multiple disciplines: Para table tennis with the athlete Florence Sireau, disabled table tennis player, multi-medalist of the Paralympic Games, handbike (hand cycle), boccia, blind football or even laser run wheelchair biathlon and blind speed… Not forgetting an introduction to wheelchair basketball, visually impaired games, disc golf and seated tug of war.
The athlete Jeanne Le Pêcheur, 3rd in the French Para Cycling Championship on the road and in time trials, was present during the afternoon for a meeting with the students at the Para Cycling workshop, with a stroll on the different animations: « This is an excellent initiative. The middle school students are curious and happy to be there. They put themselves in the place of people with disabilities and in particular in their daily lives »she told us.
Yvan Wouandji, international player and multi-medalist at the Paralympic Games and European Championship, was also leading a workshop dedicated to blind football (adaptation of football for people with visual impairments). Pierre Bédier, the president of the Department of Yvelines, also took part in the game alongside a group of children.
Pierre Bédier, president of the Department, alongside Yvan Wouandji, international blind football player.
This event brings together many local players, both dynamic and voluntary in actions for the development of para sport. Thanks to its awareness among middle school students, it has enjoyed real success since its deployment in 2023.
