On Wednesday February 9, disabled judoka Julien Taurines was visiting the Nelson-Mandela leisure center. This initiative by Jorge Cumplido, orchestrated by Milan Prichystal and his team of animators, is part of Disability Month and in a broader context linked to the Olympic Games. Coming to meet the Minions (6/7 years old) then the Riders (8/12 years old), the sportsman played the game of questions for more than two hours.
What made you want to do judo? At what age did you start this sport? How many fights and medals have you won? Are people laughing at you? How is your daily life structured? So many questions to which the guest answered frankly, with honesty and kindness. He talked about his career, school and sport, the work done to accept his visual impairment, and to tame Lucky, his dog and life companion for many years.
Eleven times French champion, eleven times medalist at the world and European championships, and three participations in the Paralympic Games, including a bronze medal in 2008, Julien Taurines does not fail to specify that “even with a disability, you can do a lot of things”.
The notions of solidarity, discrimination or will and determination were approached with benevolence, and illustrated by concrete examples. “Once we have accepted the handicap, we can only move forward”, pointed out the guest.
Rich exchanges, which greatly pleased young and old alike, marked the morning.
Midi Libre correspondent: 07 49 09 32 01
