At 15, Marie Ngoussou is the youngest athlete of the 237 members of the French delegation present in Paris for the Paralympic Games. Still a first-year cadet, the young sprinter will line up on Tuesday, September 3 at the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), in the 100 m in the T46 category (upper limb amputee or similar), before participating, on September 7, in the 200 m.
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Her participation in the Games was only confirmed late. The Orléans native only obtained her international classification – a mandatory formality to compete in disabled sports competitions – in June. “I was seen by two doctors who made me do movements with my disabled arm and compared the results with my other arm to see if I really had a disability”she says.
In the process, she achieved the Paralympic minimums at the disabled sports meeting at the Charléty stadium in Paris on June 13 and 14, and at the French disabled sports championships in Albi in mid-July. “These first Games are more of a discovery”she said at first. But, “as I am well ranked in the ranking [4e sur 100 m]I tell myself that trying for a medal is possible,” she adds.
“I’m not hiding anymore”
Although her breakthrough into the world of disabled sport is dazzling and refreshing, the young woman began athletics at a very young age, following the example of her older brother. “His coach took me under his wing when he saw that I had some abilitiesshe remembers. Then, two years ago, it was she who introduced me to disabled sport.”
Marie Ngoussou’s disability is the result of a difficult birth, which she describes: “They had a hard time getting me out of my mother’s womb. I was a big baby. They tore out nerves in my left arm.” The athlete has “less mobility” and cannot for example “not to stretch out one’s arm.” In the 100m and 200m, she cannot “not doing the swinging gesture correctly” natural sprinter.
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For a long time, she never mentioned her disability, which “is seen less than others.” Things are changing. “I didn’t dare show it too muchshe confides. I don’t say it out loud, but if I’m asked, I’ll talk about it. For now, I’m not talking about it myself yet.”
Thanks to his sporting practice and his participation in the Paralympic Games, people are now aware of: “I don’t hide anymore. It helps me move forward a lot. I’ve had this disability since I was a baby. For me, it’s as if I didn’t have a disability.”
Coach, sound “favorite profession”
Twenty days before her start in the competition, Marie Ngoussou did not hide her impatience and curiosity at the idea of discovering this major event. “I’m tired of waiting. It goes by both quickly and slowly. The stress will surely come later.”predicts the one who prepared mainly at the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance, in the Bois de Vincennes, in Paris, during the month of August.
High school student in 2nd gradeofshe will join a 1st year of schoolre professional, children’s and seniors’ entertainment, even if she could see herself becoming a trainer in the future, her “favorite profession”.
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Even before her selection for Paris 2024 was official, some of her friends were asking her about the possibility of her competing in the Games: “I told them I might do them.” Some have bought their tickets and will encourage him during his second event, Saturday September 7, in the stands of the Stade de France, because the 100m is scheduled “September 3, [au lendemain] back to school”. A medal around his neck would certainly cause a sensation at school and would constitute an unassailable excuse for his forced tardiness.
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