Both Paralympic medal winners, these exceptional athletes share the same passion and desire to pass it on. They share the same language with young people, a language that stimulates energy: the energy of sports.
Dimitri Pavadé, an idol for the young
After having had a leg amputated when he was 18, Dimitri Pavadé took up athletics to keep in shape... Today, as a long jump medal winner, he works with secondary school pupils through the “A champion in my school” operation. The objective: to raise the young people’s awareness of parasports. Considering the enthusiasm generated by his visits, there’s no doubt the message has been received load and clear…
It’s difficult to describe the enthusiasm of the pupils from the Henri-Boudon secondary school in Bollène... When they saw Dimitri Pavadé’s communicative energy, these potential champions were exhilarated!
Wearing the jumping prosthesis he used to win the silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games, Dimitri Pavadé draws complete attention when he leaps into the air.
Maxime Montaggioni, an ecological conscience for future sports
A gold medal winner at the 2022 Beijing Games, Maxime Montaggioni is a snowboarder with a commitment. His objective with Team EDF: to prepare young people to become responsible citizens who are aware of their environment. At his side, in Reims, the pupils of the second chance school thought about how to include eco-responsibility in future sports for a whole day. In the morning, parasports workshops made it possible to discover disability. In the afternoon, the subject was ecology, to discuss solutions to make sports less polluting. By creating their own Responsible Sports fresco inspired by the Climate Fresco, the pupils also become aware... that they were the players for change.
The purpose of these operations is to create a closer relationship, to make young people feel comfortable and give them messages through sports. I want them to realise right now that things can still be changed. There isn’t much time left to do it. Who else will do it if not them?
A successful programme
Since 2016, the “A champion in my school” programme has made it possible for pupils to meet Team EDF Paralympic champions and take part in parasports workshops. An opportunity to discuss, to talk about certain stereotypes, and to top up on energy. Over 10,000 primary and secondary school pupils have been made aware of disability in sports and, more widely, in everyday life.