“I want a pair of glasses that catch the eye,” asked multi-medalist para-athlete Trésor Makunda to students at the Institut Supérieur d’Optique (ISO), in Paris (13th arrondissement), in March. For the 400m champion, visually impaired, who at 39 is preparing to participate in his 5th Paralympics, “the look is important all the time”, including when he is at the start, in his lane, before a race . “We are looked at with a magnifying glass, from top to bottom, by the public, the cameras…”, he describes. So in Paris, this year, let’s not talk about it! “I wanted something festive that stood out,” he continues. His wish is granted.
In two and a half months, Léna and Sébastien, two creative eyewear bachelor students, assisted by their respective internship supervisors, designed and handcrafted a pair just for Trésor, according to her needs. “I wanted something classy and light,” explains the champion, used to training with classic sports glasses provided by one of his sponsors, Optic 2000.