The dazzling progress of sprinter Marie Ngoussou, the youngest member of the French delegation.

Marie Ngoussou, aged 15, is the youngest athlete of the 237 members of the French delegation in Paris for the Paralympic Games. Still a first-year cadet, the young sprinter will compete on Tuesday 3 September at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis) in the 100m in the T46 category (upper limb amputated or similar), before taking part in the 200m on 7 September.

Her participation in the Games only became apparent later. The Orleanian obtained her international classification – a mandatory requirement to compete in sports competitions for the disabled – in June. “I was treated by two doctors who made me do movements with my disabled arm and compared the results with the other arm to see if I really had a disability.”she says.

In the process, she achieved Paralympic standards during the disabled sports meet at the Charléty stadium in Paris on 13 and 14 June and during the French disabled sports championship in Albi in mid-July. “These first Games are more of a discovery”she said first. But, “As I am well ranked [4^e sur 100 m]I tell myself that trying for a medal is possible,” she adds.

“I don’t hide anymore”

Although her entry into the world of sports for the disabled is dazzling and refreshing, the young woman began her athletics career at a very young age, following the example of her older brother. “My coach took me under his wing when he saw I had some skills.remember. Then, two years ago, it was she who introduced me to sports for the disabled. »

Marie Ngoussou’s disability is the result of a difficult birth, which she describes: “It was difficult to get me out of my mother’s womb. I was a big baby. Some nerves were torn out of my left arm.” The athlete has “less mobility” and can not for example “Don’t stretch out your arm.” At more than 100 m and 200 m you cannot “not doing the swinging gesture correctly” natural sprinter.

For a long time he never talked about his disability, which “It is seen less than others.” Things are changing. “I didn’t dare to show it too muchconfess. I don’t say it out loud, but if you ask me, I talk about it. For now, I still don’t talk about it. »

Thanks to their sporting practice and their participation in the Paralympic Games, today we know: “I don’t hide anymore. This helps me a lot to move forward. I have had this disability since I was a baby. For me it’s like I’m not disabled.”

Coach, she “preferred profession”

Twenty days before her participation in the competition, Marie Ngoussou did not hide her impatience and curiosity at the idea of ​​discovering this great event. “I’m tired of waiting. It goes by fast and slow. Stress will surely come later.”predicts the one who trained mainly at the National Institute of Sport, Experience and Performance, in the Bois de Vincennes, in Paris, during the month of August.

High school student in year 2^ofshe will integrate a 1^D professional activities, children and the elderly, even if she could see herself becoming a trainer in the future, her “preferred profession”.

Even before her selection for Paris 2024 was official, her teammates questioned her about the possibility of playing in the Games: “I told them I could do them.” Some have bought their tickets and will be cheering him on during his second event on Saturday 7 September in the stands of the Stade de France, as the 100 metres are scheduled. “September 3, [au lendemain] “back to school”. A medal hanging around his neck would certainly cause a sensation at school and would provide an indisputable excuse for his enforced tardiness.