The BMC runner is going to the Deaflympic, Games for the deaf and hard of hearing.
From May 1 to 15, in Caxial do Sul in Brazil, the member of Béziers MC will line up for the third time in the event. A formidable sprinter, the tricolor runner will compete in three events.
How old are you and where are you from?
I am 31 years old. I am from Chelles in Seine-et-Marne. I have been living in the Occitanie region since 2013.
How did you come to cycling?
When I was young, I accompanied my father on his races. He was champion of Seine-et-Marne FFC and Fsgt. He also won the Tour de l’Est Parisien and Paris-Orléans. It was he who gave me the bike virus!
What do you like about this sport?
I tried soccer. But it didn’t fit my size. I like in this sport the surpassing of oneself, its difficulty.
What clubs have you been dismissed from? Why choose Béziers?
I started at the Thillay club in Val-d’Oise before going to Gagny, Chelles, Aubervilliers, Dunkirk, Argenteuil, Montagnac then Béziers. It was Benjamin Lopez, the manager of BMC Béziers, who contacted me.
How do you deal with not hearing when you’re on the bike, isn’t it dangerous?
Not hearing on the bike keeps me focused all the time. So it’s not really dangerous because I’m more vigilant. My eyes are my strength!
How do you communicate with other runners and with your teammates?
I communicate like with everyone! Before departure I have no problem. During the races, it’s a little more complicated because being equipped I can hear the wind a lot. But my teammates are adapting.
You are a sprinter. What do you like in a sprint?
I’ve always loved sprinting. When I was young, in the Paris region, it rubbed a lot! There weren’t as many bumps and it happened very often in the sprint. I love the placement, the train that allows you to sprint, finding the right moment to start a sprint.
Is this your first participation in the Deaflympic?
I have been in the France team since 2008. This is my third participation in the deaflympic. I was there in 2009, in Taiwan, from where I brought back three medals. I also raced in 2017 at Samsun in Turkey. I had been France’s flag bearer and had won a medal.
What events will you participate in?
I will participate on track in the race for points, speed and I will run the race on the road. There will be 108 km to cover with 1,800 m of elevation gain. This is the first time that there is so much elevation.
What will your goals be?
I’m aiming for three medals but above all gold on the road. I would like to finish on the top step of the podium before retiring from international football.
Why don’t deaf and hard of hearing people participate in the Paralympic Games?
The deaf do not participate in the Paralympic Games because they do not use French sign language. Which is a shame because the deaflympic are very publicized that we are rewarded.
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