” Chills. » This is what Dramane, 9 years old, felt this Wednesday at the Stade de France. “I saw Kylian Mbappé’s dad,” says the young boy, his eyes filled with stars. On the occasion of the tenth edition of the “Escape Day” of the Premiers de cordées association, 4,000 sick or disabled children gathered around the Dionysian enclosure. On the program, around forty Olympic and Paralympic disciplines to discover, but also meetings with big names in French sport.
Captivated by the different activities, the older children also had fun like children. Yoann Huget, the former Stade Toulouse winger, took great pleasure in beating his opponents on the armchair rugby stand, with a big smile on his face. “Last year, I came with my children,” recalls the former French international (62 caps). Sport breaks down all barriers, we can share, young and old. We no longer think about disability, about our differences. »
A few dozen meters further on, Arsène Wenger and Wilfrid Mbappé are playing a lively football match in the company of eight young people. “I came to have fun,” assures Kylian’s father. For his part, the former Arsenal coach has not lost his coaching skills when giving advice to his team. “Make the pass, make the pass!” So ! »
Arthur, 13, and his cousin Maxence, 11, took part in the match. A moment that they will not soon forget: “It’s an incredible feeling,” describes the oldest. It warms our hearts to see them, we didn’t expect them to be there at all. » Maxence, a big football fan, showed off his technique during the match, and even scored. “Plus, I support Paris Saint-Germain. So playing with Kylian Mbappé’s father is something. »
The joy of the youngest is infectious. At the age of 74, Arsène Wenger savors the moment: “It’s a real joy. First, for the children, they are happy. It’s so nice to see them like this. Play is a means of escape, there is nothing more beautiful. People who suffer from illness or disability are so mentally strong. What they accomplish is remarkable. »
“Their own Olympics”
In addition to delighting children, the event has deeper benefits, says Mathieu Pellan, lead pediatrician for the Premiers de cordée association. “The illness is divisive, it can make you feel excluded. It’s a bit of a double whammy, we have to fight it, as well as prejudices. Here, everyone is invited, despite their disability. Sport allows you to value yourself and have better self-esteem. Thanks to him, a dynamic is established and pushes us to surpass ourselves. »
For the children, this day also serves as a breath of fresh air: “It allows them to get out of the care structures, they meet each other, see that they are not alone. On the eve of the Paris Olympic Games, it’s a great celebration. A bit like they were taking part in their own Olympic Games! »
Stéphane Houdet, one of the greatest winners in the history of wheelchair tennis, with three Olympic gold medals and 24 Grand Slam titles, made the trip, as he does every year. “In a period of preparation for the Games, it’s hard to find time. But, even if you have to adapt your training, it’s a plus. » Victim of a motorcycle accident in 1996, the 53-year-old Paralympic athlete is delighted with the evolution of mentalities.
“Give back a little of what you receive”
“Playing with children reminds us of our own failures on hospital beds. Even though we’ve had tough times, we can still have fun. With them, there are no barriers. One of them just asked me to return the ball to him with my broken foot (he has a prosthetic left leg). This is a good example for us, learning to talk to each other without taboos. »
For more than an hour, Stéphane Houdet exchanged balls with the children. He also tried raqball, a sort of fusion between tennis and basketball. Before being joined by former handball player Thierry Omeyer and Camille Serme, ex-professional squash player.
“I’m coming for the first time this year,” says the former world number two. The initiative is superb. In my family, someone has Down syndrome, so I’m quite sensitive about it. Playing with young people is a way of giving back a little of what we receive. I hope it makes them want to pursue their dreams. And then, we too come out with a big smile! »
