Par
Patricia Bigot
Published on May 23, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. See my news Follow L’Écho de la Presqu’île
This happened at the last minute. Thanks to her 7th place in the SL3, SL4 and SU5 rankings in parabadminton, and first non-qualified in the singles phase, Milena Surreau won her ticket after being selected by a bipartite commission.
A selection that remotivates
In the singles qualifying phase, you had to finish in the top 6 in the world. The bipartisan commission selects 7 athletes. Considering my ranking, I was in a very good position, but nothing was certain…
Milena Surreau
In any case, this gives renewed motivation to the player who had increased the number of international competitions in recent months in the hope of being qualified.
Her defeat in the ¼ final in Thailand in February could have meant an outright end to her possible participation… This is not the case and it was therefore with great relief that Milena Surreau received the news on May 16 , given by the national coach, Sandrine Bernard.
At the time I didn’t really realize it. It was only once the announcement was officially published on social networks by the CPSF and the federation that the euphoria came.
Milena Surreau
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The young athlete, licensed at the Saint-Molf badminton club, is also a salt worker in Batz-sur-Mer.
A local preparation
But no let-up yet. Milena continues her training by going 3 times a week to Rennes and 2 times to the peninsula and by participating in interclub and Loire-Atlantique cup matches in Saint-Molf.
I’m going to do some valid tournaments in the region. But I’m not going to go out internationally before the Games.
Milena Surreau
The sportswoman, who is autistic and suffers from spastic paraparesis, an orphan disease that weakens the lower limbs.
A pathology that quickly tires her, especially since she has just experienced a full season of competitions and international travel for the first time.
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The young woman still took the time to rest after the World Championships and after her last international tournament in Spain in April.
Which explains why, in order not to get more tired before the Games, she preferred to continue her preparation “at home”.
No continuation of the France 2 soap opera
She, who we followed in the French soap opera in the 1 p.m. news on France 2, did not wish to continue in order to concentrate 100% on training, the competition and give the maximum chance to her performance .
And for logistical and financial support, Milena can count on its partners such as the badminton federation, the Le Guérandais cooperative, the Department (…) and the town of Batz which grants it aid of €2,000.
Rooms for training
Today I have everything I need to prepare for the Games. All I needed was a room to train on the peninsula, but I received 2 offers from the town of Guérande and the Grand Air high school in La Baule. I will therefore be able to benefit from the facilities I need until August.
Milena Surreau
Because then it will be time for the Games. Milena will be on the courts between August 29 and September 2, alongside the elite of parabadminton.
“I’m not coming to make up the numbers”
For the moment, out of the 8 known qualified players, I have only beaten one! The level is therefore exceptional. It’s already an incredible accomplishment for me to have qualified on the international circuit. On the other hand, I am not going to Paris to make up the numbers and with optimal preparation and continuing my momentum and my progress, I think that a bronze medal is possible to achieve
Milena Surreau
What about Eugene?
On the professional side, the parabadist has chosen not to work in her salt mines this year, to concentrate 100% on badminton. She hopes that her dog Eugène, who assists her on a daily basis, and not just in the salt marshes, can accompany her to Paris.
The animal assistant is an integral part of my sporting performance both on the motor level and on executive functions, such as pulling my wheelchair, helping me with transfers, helping me to dress, undress me, guiding me .
Milena Surreau
However, the organizing committee has not planned anything for assistance dogs at the competition venues.
“If I can’t leave it in a safe place while I play, I simply won’t be able to take it with me to the Games! It would be a real shame, because it will inevitably impact my performance and cost me a lot of energy off the field,” adds Milena.
A qualification which did not fail to provoke a reaction from the mayor of Guérande, Nicolas Criaud.
Participating in the Games is an opportunity, especially in Paris, for a French champion. In order to best support his preparation for the Games, we wanted to welcome him to our sports facilities.
Nicolas Criaud
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2024-05-23 15:07:10
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