Sandrine, what importance do you attach to this symbolic date of D-500 before the start of the Paralympic Games in Paris (August 28-September 8, 2024)?
Sandrine Martinet:
For me, like the J-100 or the Olympic and Paralympic weeks, this J-500 is a time that allows us to focus on the Paralympic Games and to be able to organize various events praising the merit of sport for all, inclusion.
This is an opportunity to introduce children in particular to all the Paralympic sports, and also the athletes, their stories.
Through all of this, we can continue to move forward for better recognition of our movement.
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Do you think that the media coverage given to these future Paralympic Games is sufficient today?
We talk about it more and more, so there is a positive development.
After that, it's still too low.
Parasport, as we know, is talked about above all and almost exclusively at the time of the Games.
And there, the fact that the Games are organized in Paris allows an even stronger focus in France.
Now, I repeat to myself, as this will be my 6th Paralympic Games, I am well aware of the progress made, knowing that we started from scratch.
But there are still a lot of things to do to democratize it in the eyes of the general public, if only so that it knows how to identify several champions.
Do you have the feeling that the view has nevertheless changed vis-à-vis para-athletes, with a cursor now placed more on sports performance than on disability?
Yes quite.
We feel that the media, through the various sensitizations carried out in recent years, have a different perspective.
We feel that the miserable side that there may have been about parasport has almost disappeared in favor of a better emphasis on performance, which can be a source of inspiration.
Its very important for us.
And there is a real openness to sport for all.
Regardless of our degree of disability, it is fundamental to our well-being that as many people as possible benefit from it.
Everyone must be able to use this tool that is sport.
The level has increased so much in recent years that it became impossible to claim to maintain myself on the podiums while working.
Sandrine Martinet
While some associations are making criticisms, do you think that in terms of organization, Paris 2024 is going in the right direction?
I know that Paris 2024 is doing its utmost on the issue of accessibility.
Afterwards, I am not aware of the criticisms made, so I could not answer you more clearly.
Nevertheless, as far as my sport is concerned, we are really well supervised.
We train daily with the able-bodied, accessibility and integration are done very well.
You are also the mother of two children. What kind of support did you have? Was it easy to juggle motherhood and a high-level sports career?
Very clearly not.
That was one of the big challenges I had to overcome in my career with having to work on top of my career just to be able to live decently.
But today, I am freed from this burden of having to work and train at the same time, which greatly reduced my time with my family.
It's really a plus to have been able to join the Army of Champions with a CIP (professional integration contract).
It allows me to really be able to focus on my preparation and train with less stress.
The level has increased so much in recent years that it became impossible to claim to maintain myself on the podiums while working.
The level of requirement has evolved so much.
It was therefore a question of
a sine qua non condition to continue until Paris 2024. So much for the financial aspect.
For the mother side, it remains very complicated, I was and still am often absent.
In addition, my children are grown up today and they go to school, which makes it difficult for them to follow me to my competitions.
At this level, there is really still a big battle to be fought in order to be able to reduce absences and raise your children as well as possible.
It is very good that the French women's football team, through its coach Hervé Renard, who is showing the way, as has also done Clarisse (Agbégnénou).
Things are falling into place, but unfortunately it is still too rare...
it remains very complicated, I was and still am often absent.
In addition, my children are grown up today and they go to school, which makes it difficult for them to follow me to my competitions.
At this level, there is really still a big battle to be fought in order to be able to reduce absences and raise your children as well as possible.
It is very good that the French women's football team, through its coach Hervé Renard, who is showing the way, as has also done Clarisse (Agbégnénou).
Things are falling into place, but unfortunately it is still too rare...
it remains very complicated, I was and still am often absent.
In addition, my children are grown up today and they go to school, which makes it difficult for them to follow me to my competitions.
At this level, there is really still a big battle to be fought in order to be able to reduce absences and raise your children as well as possible.
It is very good that the French women's football team, through its coach Hervé Renard, who is showing the way, as has also done Clarisse (Agbégnénou).
Things are falling into place, but unfortunately it is still too rare...
At this level, there is really still a big battle to be fought in order to be able to reduce absences and raise your children as well as possible.
It is very good that the French women's football team, through its coach Hervé Renard, who is showing the way, as has also done Clarisse (Agbégnénou).
Things are falling into place, but unfortunately it is still too rare...
At this level, there is really still a big battle to be fought in order to be able to reduce absences and raise your children as well as possible.
It is very good that the French women's football team, through its coach Hervé Renard, who is showing the way, as has also done Clarisse (Agbégnénou).
Things are falling into place, but unfortunately it is still too rare...
For a time, you announced your retirement from sport to be able to enjoy your children more and finally, you decided to continue until Paris 2024 so that your daughter could experience the Games by your side...
Yes, this is one of many reasons for a very complex decision to be made.
The first is that I didn't take my loss in the final at the Tokyo Games very well.
Then, very clearly, the financial aspect was very important and having this contract with the Army of Champions opened up the field of possibilities for me.
Without it, I couldn't have continued.
And then afterwards, even if it still requires sacrifices and absences, I really want my daughter to be able to understand, by living the Games in Paris, all that it can represent for me.
Unlike her older brother who lived in Rio, she never knew them.
I think it's important for me to get a medal and for my daughter to be able to participate as a spectator.
This the
will help to better understand why his mother made all these sacrifices.
But I repeat myself, it was our choice, with my husband, not just mine.
It's a new challenge for me, but as I'm still performing, that counts too.
It is certain that the fact that the Games take place at home, beyond popular enthusiasm, simplifies certain things.
Sandrine Martinet
Indeed, last year, you won the European title and a silver medal at the World Championships. Suddenly, between the fact of being able to dedicate yourself 100% to judo and to experience the Games at home under the eyes of your daughter, aren't all the stars ideally aligned to win gold?
I hope (smiles).
We put new things in place each time with the idea of improving.
It is certain that the fact that the Games take place at home, beyond popular enthusiasm, simplifies certain things.
Afterwards, it remains a preparation for the Games, with all the potential hazards.
The competition is stronger too.
But it is true that it looks good.
Now, there are still long months of waiting before being there, even if it will pass very quickly in a certain way.
And going back to where we started, it's also looking good to try to raise awareness about parasport and leave a great legacy in terms of inclusion as well.
In your eyes, there really needs to be a before and after the 2024 Olympics for disability in France...
Yes, clearly.
Once we have broken down the barriers a bit and disability has become part of the daily norm for people, things can move forward better.
All Paralympic athletes, through their stories, will be able to inspire a certain number of people.
And Paris must take inspiration from the London Games for the Paralympic movement, for which there really was a before and after London.
We must follow their example.