“No disappointment but frustration”: contrasting results for France at the Paralympic Games four years from the 2030 Alps

“Young people, come and help us! » At the end of the 4 x 2.5 km cross-country ski relay, Benjamin Daviet launched an appeal to the new generation. The five-time Paralympic champion knows he no longer has his 20-year-old legs. However, he had to do two relay runs this Saturday, with the French Nordic ski team only having three athletes at these Paralympic Games.

A lack of depth which illustrates the difficulty in detecting potential para-athletes. Without a qualified team in the two team sports (ice hockey and curling), France had only thirteen athletes and four guides in Milan-Cortina. An assumed choice on the part of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF), which only took potentially medal-winning athletes to Italy. But, in the end, the objective of 18 medals and top 4 in the nation rankings was not achieved.

“There is no disappointment, but frustration,” explains Marie-Amélie Le Fur, president of the CPSF. This team performed well, but we did not sufficiently anticipate what the level of the other nations would be. Teams like China participate very rarely in the World Cup, but are particularly successful in the Paralympics. It should also question us about what our performance preparation model is. »

Sixth in the medal table, the French delegation ends this edition with twelve charms, four of each metal. This is as many as in Beijing in 2022, but France had then won 7 gold medals.

“We need to strengthen detection”

“The level of competition is much denser,” says Yann Cucherat, general manager of performance for the National Sports Agency. The former gymnast notes in particular a lack of presence in the women’s events: “There are only two participants, it is a point of fragility. »

However, these two women shone at Milan-Cortina. Starting with Aurélie Richard, revelation of the Paralympic Games on the French side. The 20-year-old skier leaves Italy with four medals (3 silver, 1 bronze). In 2030, she will aim for a first title to complete her collection.

Cécile Hernandez will not be at the start of snowboard races in four years. At 51, the oldest member of the French delegation is retiring after retaining her title in the cross-country event.

To accompany Arthur Bauchet, Karl Tabouret or even Jules Segers at the 2030 Paralympic Games, the delegation will have to be enriched with new talents.

“We need to strengthen detection. We are already in strategy with the players in French sport, to work on a new breeding ground and to be there in 2030,” assures Yann Cucherat.

Celebration this Monday in Chamrousse

“We have collective work to do on this density of the France team. We will not be able to succeed in this challenge if we do not work more with national education or the health sector, which must help us identify potential,” confirms Marie-Amélie Le Fur.

While a governance crisis has been affecting the organizing committee for months, the three-time Paralympic champion is calling for inspiration from the Italian example. A sporting success, the host country having doubled its number of medals. And this in particular thanks to its detection of young people with potential.

“We must get as close as possible to the journey of these people with disabilities to encourage them to practice sport. There is sometimes a subject of self-censorship, so we have educational work to do,” underlines Marie-Amélie Le Fur.

After ten days of intense competition, French Paralympic athletes will be celebrated in Chamrousse this Monday. Before planning, already, towards the Alps 2030.