A text byAntoine Deshaies
Twins Zachary and Tristan Lelièvre are 15 years old. They suffer from achondroplasia, the most common cause of dwarfism. This disease interferes with the growth of long bones. The average height of an adult male with it is 125 centimeters.
When the twins’ parents asked them to join an elite badminton club, the answer was obvious.
“We’ve always loved badminton,” says Zachary Lelièvre. At school, every time we played badminton in our physical education classes, we were always super happy. “
Zachary and Tristan have been training for barely eight months at the Montreal International Club. They are led by Danièle Bouffard, who has trained her share of international players in her career.
She treats them like any other player in the gym.
“I find they can do anything,” she explains. Disability, in their case, is visible, but for others, it is invisible. Everyone has a disability. Sometimes disability is a lack of confidence or experience. The twins, on the other hand, just have to work on the fact that they are able to do anything in the field. “
Tristan and Zachary have the 2024 Paralympic Games in their sights. Small people have a place in only six sports at the Summer Games.
Badminton is now on the list.
“Yes, I would love to go, but it takes patience,” Tristan explains. We will try our best and work hard. “
Small players run on pitches of the same size as in the Olympics. Their racquet, the arm outstretched, barely exceeds the net.
Still, they can spike.
“It’s not big big smashes there, but we are capable, insists Zachary. The trajectory of the shuttle during spikes is normally more inclined. But we, when we hit, it’s more on the edge of the net. There is no limit in substance. It may be slower, less strong, but there is no limit. “
A sport in search of depth
Before the Lelièvre twins at the Montreal International Club, there was Pascal Lapointe.
The 42-year-old has spastic hemiplegia, a partial paralysis of the left side.
View larger image (New window)Pascal Lapointe is a triple medalist at the Pan American Para-badminton Championships
Photo: Radio-Canada
“There are orders that I have difficulty giving to my muscles,” Lapointe said vividly. In my case, my left calf is atrophied. “
This fall, he competed at the Pan American Championships, where he won three medals, including one gold. He dreams of his sport gaining popularity.
At the last Provincial Championship, last spring, there were only 7 participants divided into 6 categories. This means that the matches played were only demonstrations.
However, it is estimated, for example, that there are 3,500 to 5,000 small people in Quebec. Pascal Lapointe hopes that his sport will find a way to shine in the coming years.
Badminton is not the most visible sport in the Canadian media sphere.
“I hope that we will manage to reach athletes who are missing a hand, for example, and have never thought of para,” he explains. We hope to reach these people. “
Until then, Danièle Bouffard will continue to open her training sessions to Paralympic athletes. Their integration into its group of athletes is beneficial for all.
“It’s wonderful for the little kids,” she explains. Little people, they don’t care. Pascal, they don’t even see him anymore. How is Pascal disabled? Ah, can’t you see him anymore? Well done! “
Another way to democratize sport.
