Par
Romain Michel
Published on
Nov 10 2024 at 5:32 p.m
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Paralympic badminton champion this summer in Paris, <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/02/carquefou-near-nantes-hosts-the-french-para-badminton-championships/" title="Carquefou, near Nantes, hosts the French Para-Badminton Championships”>Charles Noakes will be present in Montilly-sur-Noireau (Orne), Monday November 11, 2024. The athlete will be accompanied by his gold medal to share a friendly moment with the public.
The champion intends to continue the enthusiasm seen during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with long term goals : athletes, but also to continue to develop disabled sports. Before his visit to Orne, Charles Noakes answered questions from L’Orne combattante/actu.fr.
How did you end up sponsoring this Montilly Sports Nature festival?
The event director posted a message on my website. With my communications manager, we found this project interesting in order to meet young peopleto exchange, to take photos, to show the medal…
What do you think of this sporting event?
It is an event that brings together many people, especially young people: they are the future. It is very important for me to pass on the values of sport to them, to make them aware of disabilities. There was great enthusiasm for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it’s good to keep it going and have a good time together. For a month, everyone was fully engaged and forgot about everyday problems. We had happy people behind us. These are unique momentsespecially in the Paralympics. We’re not used to seeing this crowd. Plus, at home… All the planets were aligned.
Have you ever been to the Flers region before? The department of Orne or Normandy?
I know Normandy, because my mother is from Falaise, so that reminds me childhood memories. Also, I did a study internship near Deauville seven years ago. I was in a golf course and I was in charge of marketing, communication and events. I got to know Normandy at that time.
What has changed since your Paralympic Games title?
Notoriety. Before, I was an average person and a match changed my life. Now, people recognize me in the street, want to take a photo… I have been approached by all the major media, with television and radio shows.
Is fame something you enjoy?
Media solicitations are very energy consumingbut that’s part of the game. You have to accept this notoriety. Since the Paralympic Games, I have made ten return trips between Nantes and Paris, which is not easy to cope with. We must be careful not to fall into this spiral. However, I have always met generous and positive people. I granted myself two months of restbut it will soon be time to go back to training.
In the longer term, would you like to contribute to the development of the Paralympics?
This is one of my goals for the future: to continue to develop handisportparticularly by going to schools and businesses. Show that even if we are different, we have skills and talent. I carry out a lot of activities with children in my town, La Chapelle-sur-Erdre. We want to continue to move forward with the two directors of CREPS, they have lots of ideas. It’s important to work as a team. There are a lot of things to do. Sport is a lot of openness, we learn so much.
Any advice to give to young athletes?
You have to dare and make sure you give yourself the means to achieve your dreams. Everyone can have access to it, despite all the differences. Above all, it is important to be fulfilled in what we do. Also, you need to surround yourself with the right people, so you have a greater chance of success. I had this chance, it allows me to have peace of mind and more tools at my disposal.
After a gold medal, what is your goal at the next Paralympics?
I have a meeting soon to build my training plan, in order to have adapted sessions, to stay motivated. I’m going to return to my normal daily life, it’s not because I’m a Paralympic champion that I’m going to change who I am. I remain the same person. Los Angeles is here quickly. You have to continue to work hard to improve. I have a lot of room for improvement and I still have a lot to learn. For the record, Paris was the first tournament that I won. I had lost my previous seven finals. People think that there is nothing greater after a victory at the Paralympic Games, but I still have plenty of goals to achieve: the world championships, the European championships… My goal is to mark the history of French badminton.
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