On Saturday, the fourth-place finisher in the long jump event in Paris wanted to raise awareness among young people about disability and made an announcement.
Sport gave him goals and made him grow.Since my beginnings in the world of sport, I can say that certain things have matured in me, a thought or a dream of being part of the French team, today I can say with great pride that it is done.Dimitri Pavadé first wrote on his Instagram account. Today I was able to find my way and give meaning to what I accomplish every day: “wanting to be an icon for people with disabilities.”
Fourth in the long jump event at the Paralympic Games, the Tricolore has succeeded in his first fight and has now started another.Here I am today, ready once again to face, overcome and move forward without taking into account what others may say or think of me,” he explained before developing his thoughts.
«Yes I am SMALL, MIXED-RACE, ONE-LEGGED, and to add insult to injury, GAY!!!!!! The person that I am and like others, have never had to make a choice so stop with your pitiful speeches and your judgments without reasoning because you will never change the world.
The most important thing to me today is that the people who matter to me love me for the person I am, and not for an image that I could have created in this overly judgmental society.
If some people don’t accept you as you are then they are not worthy of your LOVE. Life is too short to give importance to such people.».
I am SHORT, MIXED-RACE, ONE-LEGGED, and to add insult to injury, GAY!!!!!!.
Dimitri Pavade
By speaking out on social media, the para-athlete hopes to change mentalities and wants to encourage others to take responsibility for themselves: “Now I have a second fight to lead with MY LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY and I hope to give strength and courage also to those people still in the CLOSET or to those HIGH-LEVEL SPORTSMEN who do not dare to live openly and freely this freedom which is rightfully ours.»
«Disability is not meant to be hidden or ashamed of, the same goes for your sexual orientation, so embrace yourself as you are and remember that you are not alone, life is extremely short and so many beautiful things are offered to us that we cannot deprive ourselves of them.he continued before mentioning tragic facts. Children and adults still commit suicide or are killed today.»
