Earlier this yr as France ramped as much as host the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games, Fanélie was requested to hold the Olympic Torch within the metropolis of Lyon, France close to her hometown of Saint-Chamond. On 26 July, along with her household, buddies and fellow Particular Olympics France members in attendance, Fanélie proudly walked via the packed streets of Lyon bearing the Olympic Torch with the Olympic Flame—a illustration of hundreds of years of athletic excellence and the exceptional athletes who’ve competed within the Video games.
Particular Olympics accomplice, The Coca-Cola Firm, is dedicated to inclusion and alternatives for all and helped to safe quota for 12 Particular Olympics France athletes to be a part of the Paris 2024 Torch Relay. Fanélie was nominated and chosen to hold the torch by her dwelling Particular Olympics program resulting from her dedication to enhancing sport together with being a job mannequin, advocate and trailblazer for the Particular Olympics motion in France.
The opposite members of the Torch Relay included dignitaries, supporters of Paris 2024, French residents nominated by their communities, earlier Olympians and Paralympians and plenty of different notable personalities from throughout the globe. Fanélie, together with the opposite torch bearers, are champions of their group as they proceed to push for inclusion, group and sport alternatives, respectively.
Fanélie shared, “I used to be very happy with this second as a result of I could possibly be myself whereas everybody round me supported me as I carried the torch. All my household and buddies have been there to assist and cheer for me as effectively.”
Fanélie, who has Down’s syndrome, has traveled around the globe representing Particular Olympics France and this previous yr in Berlin marked her fourth time competing at Particular Olympics World Video games. She beforehand participated in Particular Olympics World Video games Korea 2013, Los Angeles 2015 and Abu Dhabi 2019. The French athlete is a two-sport specialist as she competes in each swimming and basketball.
“Sports activities convey folks collectively. Once I was in Berlin, I used to be in a position to join with buddies, but additionally different athletes from round of the world in several sports activities via issues like pin buying and selling. Sports activities assist with ensuring nobody is ever alone.”
Fanélie Croizat, Particular Olympics Athlete
She isn’t any stranger to a torch relay although. Fanélie has witnessed the unimaginable Particular Olympics Legislation Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), as an athlete and spectator, in any respect 4 of her Particular Olympics World Video games Opening Ceremonies. Particular Olympics, much like the Olympics and Paralympics, has a torch relay for his or her World Video games that travels from the origin of the Olympics and residential of the Olympic Flame in Olympia, Greece to the respective host nation the place it’s then paraded via the nation in lead-up to the Opening Ceremony for the Video games.
Fanélie shared what she would say to athletes competing within the Olympics, Paralympics and Particular Olympics, “Play collectively, consider the staff over oneself, work in the direction of the collective purpose, and to get pleasure from and have enjoyable being a part of a staff with different athletes.”
After competing in Abu Dhabi, Fanélie shared issues “simply clicked” for her and she or he grew immensely each personally and athletically, discovering a brand new sense of confidence in her capabilities. She was named a Particular Olympics France Athlete Chief and is now serving to different athletes from her nation in order that they are often one of the best model of themselves on and off the enjoying discipline. Fanélie is known as the “little fabulous woman” by her coach Marie, who has seen how Fanélie has not solely impressed herself along with her ardour for inclusive sport, but additionally how she has impressed others to be extra inclusive as effectively.
In preparation for Particular Olympics World Winter Video games Turin 2025, the LETR Torch and Torch Run will start in Athens, Greece at Zappeion Corridor the place the Torch will probably be lit after which dropped at Rome, Italy. From there it should then journey via a whole lot of cities because it makes its strategy to Turin for the Opening Ceremonies of the Video games.
