Angles, France – Paralympic gold medalist Cécile Hernandez traded her snowboard for a classroom on Friday, leading a French dictation exercise for nearly 300 students in the Pyrenees mountains. The unique lesson, held in anticipation of the Tour de France’s arrival in the region, underscored Hernandez’s commitment to inspiring the next generation and her versatility beyond the slopes.
Hernandez, a four-time Paralympic medalist in para-snowboarding, including a gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Games and a confirmed gold in the snowboard cross at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, brought her competitive spirit to the educational setting. The dictation focused on a passage describing the upcoming mountain stage of the Tour de France, scheduled for July 6th between Granollers (near Barcelona) and the ski station of Les Angles.
“This day could already weigh heavily in the race,” Hernandez reportedly stated as she moved among the students, ranging from CM1 (roughly equivalent to 4th grade) to 5th grade. She emphasized proper pronunciation and terminations, carefully reviewing the students’ work. “I am very comfortable. My first calling was actually to be a French teacher. And this is a fascinating experience,” she added, while signing autographs resembling the iconic yellow jersey.
The exercise wasn’t without its challenges. Fabien, a fifth-grade student from Matemale, expressed his frustration, stating, “I came to have fun, but this text is a trap! How can you do a dictation without preparing beforehand?” Younger students, like Cécilia from Font-Romeu, struggled with grammatical agreements, a common hurdle for CM1 students.
Carole Richer, a CM1-CM2 teacher from Font-Romeu, noted the difficulty of the passage. “The very good students, those who came to score and achieve perfection, did very well. But those who have difficulties with spelling and usually work on fill-in-the-blank texts struggled to keep up. It’s a bit like the Tour de France,” she explained. A parent added that the exercise offered a valuable introduction to the concept of competition, even without high stakes.
The event also drew participation from adults eager to test their own French skills. Catherine, a retired teacher from Ariège, described the text as “quite easy,” while her husband, Michel, expressed their enjoyment of the event as regular visitors to the local library.
A significant incentive was offered: the student with the fewest errors would be invited to the finish line of the Tour de France stage on July 6th. Jérôme Meunier, director of the Les Angles station, eagerly anticipates the arrival of the “baroudeurs” (breakaway riders) of the Tour, as highlighted in the dictation passage, describing the stage as “promising to be lively and full of lessons.” The event concluded with dedications and selfies for all participants, a fitting reward for their linguistic efforts.
Hernandez’s participation in the event highlights her multifaceted life. Beyond her athletic achievements, she is a customs officer, journalist, and writer, having published two books with Éditions du Rocher and contributed to Europe 1 and Le Figaro, including coverage of the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London. Her journey to becoming a Paralympic champion is particularly inspiring, as she began her sporting career as a BMX racer before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2002, which initially paralyzed her legs for two months. She rediscovered snowboarding in 2013, leading to her success on the international stage.
This event serves as a reminder that Hernandez’s influence extends far beyond the world of competitive sports. Her dedication to education and her ability to connect with young people demonstrate her commitment to inspiring others, regardless of their abilities. The dictation exercise, while challenging, provided a unique opportunity for students to engage with the upcoming Tour de France and learn from a true champion.
The Tour de France stage through the Pyrenees is expected to be a crucial test for riders, and Hernandez’s presence at the event served as a powerful symbol of resilience and determination. The region is preparing to welcome the world’s best cyclists, and the enthusiasm generated by Hernandez’s visit is sure to add to the excitement.
What’s Next: The Tour de France begins on June 29th in Italy and will arrive in Les Angles on July 6th for the third stage. Fans can follow the race live on official Tour de France channels and through major sports broadcasters.
