Due to the Olympic year, the top companies invited Lucas Mazur, Paralympic badminton champion. An inspiring journey taken by the high-level athlete, during this event, organized by the group The New Republic and the Loir-et-Cher Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Wednesday December 4, at the Jeu de Paume, in Blois.
Originally from Loiret before growing up in Toulouse, the badista is not unknown in the department, since he was dismissed for four seasons at the Salbris club. It was even in Sologne that he returned for his preparation before the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “I went from the luxury Creps de Bordeaux to Salbris, between a pétanque and hunting club. But this questioning was very beneficial for me, he confides. I knew the infrastructure well, and there, I was less tempted to go out. »
“I came out of it grown”
His two medals won this summer at the Paralympics changed his life as a man and an athlete. “I came away grown and very proud. » He also gained notoriety. “I am recognized on public transport or in stores. Having these Games in France was an extraordinary opportunity. The country was united, something we hadn’t seen since the Blues were crowned at the 1998 Football World Cup.”
Lucas Mazur suffers from an ankle deformity, the result of a stroke that occurred at the age of 3. “I was happy to get out of it and enjoy life. It wasn’t easy in college, but this handicap, which was only a small difference for me, became a strength. »
To make the link with the mental load that falls on entrepreneurs, Marie-Noëlle Amiot, president of CCI 41, asked him how he prepared. “I am accompanied by a psychologist and a mental coach. I also do a lot of mental visualization. I encourage business leaders to get coaching. I’m not just a top athlete. It’s the same for the business leader who wears multiple hats. »
“I encourage business leaders to get coached”
Lucas Mazur regrets the absence of a status for high-level athletes. “We are absolutely not recognized. We tinker around through professional integration contracts, we look for sponsors, we do representation. » The badista does not forget to mention that he was accompanied by the Loir-et-Chérien Telmah association (Rendez la main au handicapsport) even though he was not yet known. Furthermore, the Ministry of the Armed Forces hired him on a two-year contract. “The army releases me 100% to train. » Since he plans to extend his career until the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
Even if the time for retraining is not relevant for Lucas Mazur, he knows that programs exist for retired athletes to then join companies. “There are so many themes on which we can bring to companies and teams, in terms of resilience, combativeness…”
It also remains to continue efforts in terms of integrating people with disabilities into the workplace: “What works best is to put leaders in a situation, by inviting them to sit in a wheelchair for a whole day, for better understanding. Disability is not a barrier. It’s a difference that brings us together. »
The recent appointment of Loir-et-Chérien Marie-Amélie Le Fur as head of the National Sports Agency is an example for him. “It’s very inspiring to me. It shows that there are no limits. But for now, I remain focused on my career. »
The 2024 winners
Top Sustainable Development: KapiEco.
Top Human Resources: Caillau.
Top Man or Woman of the Year: Ibrahim Basaran, d’Eco Shuttle.
Top Creation-recovery: Max Vauché.
Top Resilience and agility: Poppyland.
Top technical and/or digital innovation: Baumer Bourdon-Haenni.
Agglopolys special price: Phinia Delphi France.
Dev’up special price: Eaukey.
Top des tops : Eaukey.
