Paris 2024: Marie Amelie Le Fur’s advice to first-time Para athletes
Nine-time Paralympic medalist Marie Amelie Le Fur urges newbie Paralympians to soak up the moment 27 Aug 2024
Marie Amelie Le Fur, a veteran of four Paralympic Games, is eyeing a new off-track legacy as French delegation president – making sport accessible to all and creating a more inclusive society.
Helping people to see disabilities as a strength and promoting the Games widely is a mission she has taken on with gusto.
“French people know the Paralympic Games exist. It was not the reality five to 10 years ago,” she said.
“This Games has changed Para sport in France... a lot of people are now involved in building a better society for (people with disabilities).”
Already there are improvements with transport accessibility in Paris and other French cities and she hopes the Games will add momentum and improve day-to-day lives.
"We want to continue,” she said.
Cheering for all
The 36-year-old, who retired after the Tokyo Paralympic Games, knows her fellow countrymen and women are pumped to continue the festival of sport after hosting a successful Olympics in Paris.
“French people will love all the athletes... French people will be behind them, to encourage them, to support them and to share the emotion of the Paralympic Games,” she said.
“I'm dreaming about the Opening Ceremony on Place de la Concorde with all these athletes from all around the world.”
Powerhouse
It was a long journey from a six-year-old trying athletics, to podiums on the international stage.
Le Fur lost her left leg below the knee after a motorcycle accident in 2004 at 15.
Sport became an anchor in her rehabilitation and within a year she was running with a prosthetic leg and gearing up for the 2006 World Championships.
Le Fur debuted at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games bagging a silver in the women's long jump F44 and women's 100 m T44.
Four years later at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, she won the 100m T44, took home silver in the 200m T44 and claimed a long jump F42/44 bronze.
Le Fur won two gold medals and a bronze medal and set two world records at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
Her first gold came in the long jump T44 followed by a top podium finish in the 400m T44 and a bronze in the 200m T44.
After having a baby in 2018, Le Fur jumped back into training for a final Paralympics in Tokyo before retiring. Here she claimed silver in the long jump T64.
She was elected French Paralympic and Sports Committee president in December 2018 and is relishing the leadership and mentoring role.
The Games veteran urges new Para athletes to take a breath and enjoy the atmosphere of the Games.
“Share this moment with the public, with your family, with your friends and this feeling, this pleasure, will give you the energy to do your best,” she said.
“My tip will be to take pleasure and live 100 per cent in the moment.”
