Robert Marchant, a 72-year-old man with incomplete paraplegia, sets himself a new challenge. He wants to go around Mont-Blanc with his arm-bike, and he is sponsored by his social landlord. This man, passionate about challenges, has already climbed several peaks with his adapted vehicle, which is a real ode to surpassing oneself.
Robert Marchant is an athlete who loves the pure mountain air. But his life was turned upside down following an accident that left him paraplegic at the age of 22. Despite this, he rethought his practice of the sport and learned to handle his handcycle. Climbing peaks like Mont-Ventoux, Alpe d’Huez or the Col du Galibier has become his daily life. He wishes to prove that the handicap is not an obstacle to surpassing oneself.
This year, his goal is to climb Mont-Blanc with his arm-bike. For him, it’s both a challenge and fun. He is a celebrity in his town of Champigny, where the inhabitants watch him with admiration and astonishment as he hurtles down the cycle paths on his adapted machine. His passion for sport came to him while adapting to his new life after his accident.
His life changed in 1973 when he became a paraplegic following a fall during a gymnastics demonstration. Doctors thought he would no longer be able to play high-level sport, but he decided not to stop. He underwent rehabilitation, relearned to walk and resumed gymnastics. Despite regular operations and periods of rehabilitation, he never felt handicapped and continued to excel every day.
In 2017, he discovered hand-biking thanks to a friend. This wheelchair with a front fork and electric assistance allows him to practice mountain biking. He trains regularly, covering 150 kilometers a week along the Ile-de-France cycle paths. This discovery gave birth in him to a passion for cycling and gave him a feeling of freedom.
To meet his challenges, Robert Marchant is not alone. He is surrounded by his friends who accompany him on each course. This year, he will be accompanied by his friend Jacques Bouanich, an actor, on an electric bike to go around Mont-Blanc. Their friendship makes it possible to share moments and create memories together. The inhabitants of his neighborhood recognize him and encourage him during his training.
This challenge requires a significant financial commitment, because his arm-bike cost nearly 12,000 euros and requires regular repairs. The French Gymnastics Federation is sponsoring its course for the second consecutive year, and its social landlord, IDF Habitat, covers the accommodation costs for the entire team during the Mont-Blanc tour. The accessibility of housing for people with reduced mobility is a subject close to his heart and which he wishes to promote.
Accessibility is also a concern in his apartment, which is cramped and has to accommodate his two armchairs and his sports equipment. He trains regularly to maintain his fitness and push his limits. His sporting exploits command the admiration of his traveling companions, who consider him a champion on his scale.
This Mont-Blanc challenge is a new summit to climb for Robert Marchant. He has not yet set a specific goal for the future, but why not Everest? In any case, he is determined to show that disability is not an obstacle and that you have to give your all in all circumstances of life.
2023-08-15 23:45:30
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