While the athletes of the Paralympic Games inspire the planet and the benefits of physical activity on overall health liven up the discussions more than ever, companies are showing initiative to encourage young and old to get active.
This is the case of Decathlon Canadathis sports store at the origin of the “symbols of the possible”, which reminds us that sport is accessible to everyone!
“Our mission is to make sport, leisure and the joy of moving accessible to as many people as possible and to get Canadians involved in physical activity,” says Philippe Gariépy, one of Decathlon Canada’s marketing managers.
The company’s most recent initiative aims to showcase the various skills of people with physical disabilities, by promoting their sporting abilities, which lead them to push their limits.
To do this, Decathlon Canada and the creative agency Rethink have developed the “symbols of the possible”, offering more active versions of the international accessibility logo illustrating a person in a wheelchair.
After all, a person with reduced mobility can also play tennis, hockey, basketball, badminton, practice archery and fulfill themselves through a host of other activities among a range of possibilities.
Eighteen winter sports icons have also been developed to represent the Paralympic disciplines. These symbols are royalty-free and downloadable at abilitysigns.ca/fr.
“We invite everyone, including private companies, sports clubs, public companies and government institutions to use them,” said Mr. Gariépy, as will be the case during the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
Everyone can help make these inspirational icons appear digitally, too, by using Instagram filters to change certain symbols around them. A simple look at them will make everyone want to surpass themselves, whatever the season, the physical abilities of each and the sports that motivate them!
Move, within your reach
Walking, cycling, yoga, horse riding, bodybuilding, dancing, climbing, fishing, a team or individual sport… You don’t have to be an athlete to move.
“Explore and try all kinds of activities before choosing one that you like. Set small goals to get started, sign up for a class to get support from a group and a trainer, then gear up so you can practice this activity safely and comfortably” , suggests Mr. Gariépy.
To support Canadians in the practice of their sport, Decathlon has developed products that meet different needs and budgets, for beginners, intermediate or expert athletes in more than 65 sports.
Of the 7,000 products on sale in stores, 95% are designed and manufactured by Decathlon, while 5% come from local companies. By reducing intermediaries in this way, the company makes sure to reach all families, because “the price of equipment should not prevent people from being active,” maintains Mr. Gariépy.
Throwing a basketball into a hoop, climbing a rock climbing wall, and rollerblading inside stores with sports facilities is even encouraged to make the right equipment choice.
“Our stores are not museums, you can touch the products, try them before buying. Everything is available to customers, all of the merchandise is on the floor,” underlines Mr. Gariépy.
And to maintain the motivation that arouses the practice of a new activity, he advises to “opt for an activity which presents the fewest possible barriers”.
“For example, if you’re already short on time in your daily life and you have to drive 30 minutes to get to the gym, you’re putting an unnecessary barrier on yourself that could demotivate you,” he explains.
Active communities
Still with the aim of promoting accessibility to sports, the 11 stores Decathlon in Canada are involved in their community by financially supporting local organizations and unifying sporting events.
They also make their sports facilities available free of charge to coaches and professionals who can then offer their activities at a lower cost.
