REPORTAGE – More than 350 students attending school in Guadeloupe have benefited from the “My Class at the Games” project launched by the State, which aims to enable nearly 200,000 young people throughout France to benefit from sporting events.
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral… Posted on the roof of a bateau-mouche, the twenty-three Guadeloupean high school students contemplate the landscape that passes before their eyes. Most of these young people had never seen these Parisian monuments. “I didn’t imagine them to be this big”D’nys says, impressed. “We are very lucky to be here, we would never have been able to do all these activities without this project”greets Alexane. This project is “My class at games”a system set up by the State with the aim of offering a Parisian stay to nearly 200,000 young French people during the Paralympic Games.
Among these lucky ones, 1000 students come from overseas territories, including 377 schoolchildren and accompanying persons from Guadeloupe. For more than two years, these young people in their final year of high school, specializing in physical education, sports practices and culture, participated in the organization of this trip by raising funds and looking for sponsors. “We held cake sales and contacted several places to find accommodation.”says Alexane, proud of what the group has accomplished.
The majority of the funding, however, comes from the Ministries of Overseas Territories, the Interior and National Education, leaving parents to pay the sum of 350 euros. “The parents are all very moved by this opportunity which is offered to their child almost for free”rejoices Gina Saint-Phor, PE teacher and supervisor of the stay.
Clara Hidalgo / The Figaro
Seduced by para-athletics
This Thursday, September 5, the weather is not great. The visit to the Eiffel Tower has been replaced by the Bateaux Mouches cruise. The young people, who had planned to wear their raincoats, remain unperturbed. From the ship crossing the Seine, they greet the people on the quays or at their windows with a big smile. Despite the pouring rain, they take many selfies while the greatest hits of French song resonate, from Aznavour to Piaf.
Since arriving in Paris, this final year class from the Gerville Réache high school in Basse-Terre has made a series of cultural visits to the National Assembly and the Ministry of Overseas Territories, and attends different Paralympic events every day. Para-athletics at the Stade de France, para-equestrianism at Versailles followed by a guided tour of the château before going to the Club France… The group has been thoroughly immersed in the Olympic fervour.
If para-riding has not been unanimous among adolescents because it is judged “too boring”para-athletics has brought everyone together. “It was impressive and more diverse because there were several sports like sprinting, long jump, shot put…”explains Miléna, dressed in a neon pink PSG jersey. This fan of the Parisian football club marvels at each building full of history.
A “dirty” and overcrowded metro
This week, the young people from Guadeloupe are discovering another Parisian institution… the metro. To teach them to take responsibility, the three supervisors ask one of the students to guide them with a GPS for each trip. This time, it’s Ylan’s turn to drive them to the Arena Porte de la Chapelle where the class is getting ready to discover the para-weightlifting events.
Clara Hidalgo / The Figaro
Grouped together on line 9, the teenagers easily lose their balance when the train starts. “We’re not used to it, we don’t have a metro at home, we only take the bus”explains Milena, who does not appreciate the experience. “There are a lot of people and it’s dirty”she complains. The young girl is surprised when she learns that the metro is doing much better during the Olympics and the Paralympics.
The three line changes tire some of his comrades who doze off in their seats. As they leave the metro entrance, the imposing blocks of flats at Porte de la Chapelle make them dizzy. “That’s high! Imagine, you live up there? Actually, I don’t want to think about it.”asks Milena rhetorically.
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“Their disability has become their strength”
Louis is dazzled as he walks through the doors of the building. The mirrored, illuminated basketball court installed on the ceiling fascinates him. “I saw that the site had been built especially for the Games”he informs his friends. Before entering the Arena, the high school students are eager to be surprised by the exploits of the para-athletes. They are surprised to see that the stands are empty. Only several school groups fill the plastic seats.
Clara Hidalgo / The Figaro
Focused and silent, the teenagers are struck by the strength of the female para-athletes who open the show with the bench press. “I don’t know how they lift such heavy weights. Even we couldn’t do it.”Quentin wonders, captivated by the spectacle. Since Monday, the para-athletes have been giving these young people a real treat. “Ultimately, the Paralympics are no different from the Olympic Games, they remain high-level sport.”notes N’jahemma. “Their disability has become their strength”bounces back Léandre who finally judges this competition “more interesting than the Olympics because we are always surprised”.
As part of their sports specialty in the baccalaureate, these high school students practice at least ten to twelve hours of sport per week, and in particular weight training. “Seeing the athletes exert themselves makes me want to move too, I miss it”Miléna admits against all expectations. The young girl, like all her classmates, is nevertheless happy to have benefited from a staggered return to school. The young Guadeloupeans are taking the plane again on Monday and returning to their classrooms on Tuesday. They are already dragging their feet.
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