It is a pretty crazy challenge that begins this Wednesday the Meurthe-et-Mosellan Théo Curin. The athlete, quadri-amputee, aged 21, will cross with the swimmer Malia Metella and the adventurer Matthieu Witvoet, Lake Titicaca from Bolivia to Peru. 122 kilometers swimming while towing a raft of 500 kilos, all at an altitude of almost 4,000 meters and in water at 12 degrees. A challenge that you can follow live on its website.
A challenge born during the first confinement in a period of frustration for Théo Curin. At the time, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games were postponed and above all the regulations forced him to compete against athletes with their four members. Théo Curin gives up Tokyo and creates his own challenge, pushing his limits:
“The difficulties are as follows, the altitude, the cold and the weight of the raft. We prepared like crazy by swimming in water at six degrees all winter, by making preparations in Font Romeu for work the altitude. We are ready and we will cross in total autonomy. “
In the event of a problem, the emergency services will be four hours from the boat. Théo Curin, Malia Metella and Matthieu Witvoet will take turns in the polluted water of Lake Titicaca the day before sleeping on a raft exclusively designed with recycled materials. The message of this challenge, beyond sports performance, is to warn about water pollution and to help local populations to protect this lake.
A new stage
This challenge also marks a new stage in the career of Théo Curin, who has stepped aside from the Paralympic world. We do not know how he will participate in the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024. As an athlete or as a consultant? It is too early to know. Today, Théo Curin challenges himself. A little over a year ago, he already became the first quad-amputee to complete a half Ironman in Les Sables d’Olonne, a triathlon with two kilometers of swimming, 90 kilometers of cycling and 20 kilometers of wheelchair racing.
A career as a high-level athlete that he reconciles with a new profession as an actor. After a first role in a TF1 telefilm, the Lorrainer is now in the cast of the France 3 series “Plus belle la vie”.