Par
Cathy Ryo
Published on
25 oct. 2024 à 6h23
See my news
It is at her home, in the countryside of Saint-Molf, near Guérande (Loire-Atlantique), that we find <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/03/parabadminton-player-sophie-van-den-broek-reaches-the-semi-finals-in-spain/” title=”Parabadminton player Sophie van den Broek reaches the semi-finals in Spain”>Miléna Surreau, with her inseparable dog Eugène. Two months after her participation in the Paris Paralympic Games, the 27-year-old badminton player, suffering from autism and an orphan neurological disease who contracts her muscles uncontrollably, rewinds this incredible moment. And confides his projects to the Echo of the Peninsula.
“I still don’t have the words”
“It was amazing, I still don’t have the words! », says the athlete who ultimately did not win any medals.
But it was a very happy moment. And at the same time unfortunate because I will not relive it with this incredible audience, a crazy atmosphere, total support.
Absent at the ceremonies
His defeats in both matches? “Being there was already huge because it means that we are among the top in the world.”
So no regrets, not even that of not having participated in the opening ceremony?
” No. I was playing the next morning, so that wasn’t possible. And the protocol was long, you had to walk 2 km! Lunar for disabled athletes,” smiles Miléna.
No closing ceremony either, “I stayed a few days after the competition to attend the events. But getting around Paris when you have trouble getting around is impossible. Nothing is done for people with reduced mobility,” says the young woman.
Los Angeles in the viewfinder
After the Olympic competition, Miléna already has Los Angeles in 2028 in her sights.
I intend to be there. In any case, I will do everything for it.
The salt flats are over
Because today, the parabadist devotes herself 100% to her sport. She left her job as a salt worker and gave up her saltworks lease.
“I was placed on disability in March 2024, I could no longer continue. It’s a choice you made but it would have had to be made at some point anyway. It’s complicated to reconcile high-level sport with agricultural activity. Now I can be totally focused on the bad,” confides the athlete.
Return to competition
A graduate of the Saint-Molf badminton club, Miléna Surreau goes 4 times a week to the Creps performance center (Centre for resources, expertise and sports performance) in Nantes, where the gold medalist also trains Charles Noakes.
From October 31 to November 3, 2024, she will participate in the French parabadminton championship in Valencia and hopes to win the first title again.
“It will put me back in the competition,” the athlete is already rejoicing.
In April 2025, the Parabadminton Open will take place in France. “I hope there will be a lot of public, like at the Olympics.”
In March 2025, the big season of international tournaments will open. The opportunity to collect points and climb to the highest level of the world rankings.
Podcast and conferences
Outside of the badminton courts, the sportswoman is on social networks with her podcast, Diary of a parabadist. Its two monthly episodes discuss sport and disability, with education and without tongue in cheek. Miléna Surreau also speaks in companies for conferences on these two themes which are close to her heart.
Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.
