“I am like a fish in water, in my bubble.” Pierre Rabine, 22 years old, explains having had “a huge crush as soon as he entered the water.” And yet, this young inhabitant of Carquefou has long been a football fan. At 17, an injury forced him to hang up his crampons. He began to weight training with the aim of joining the army. Corn an accident at work shattered this project.
It was the April 11, 2018. An electric arc of 63,000 volts. Doctors have no choice and he amputate arms and legs. He is 18 years old and he knows that this new life to be built will pass through sport: “it was a decision from the CHU.”
He had a choice between athletics and swimming. He opts for the second discipline, because of feelings, also because the rehabilitation center which welcomes him near Lorient has a swimming pool. “Swimming is a swimsuit, a cap, glasses. Athletics, that involved prostheses”, specifies the one who trains at ASPTT Nantes swimming. And that also generated higher costs.
“No matter what happens to you, the decision to get up is yours” – Pierre Rabine
And that’s good because the boy, who shows great strength of character and a lot of humor, loves water. And very quickly he set himself the goal of making the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024: “Always this little competitive side. If I go to the Games in 2024, there will be six years in between. Get the message across:” No matter what happens to you, the decision to get up is yours. “
In the spring, Pierre Rabine, who qualifies as“optimistic and realistic” took part in his first French handisport swimming championships in the large basin, in Limoges. These December 11 and 12, it will be the small pool version, in Marseille. He will be lined up for the 50, 100 and 200 meter freestyle, 50 backstroke and 50 breaststroke. Objective to improve your lap times to then join the French Top 16. With the hope of being selected for competitions at European level, then Paris 2024.
In parallel with his training, he gives lectures on sport and disability with associations and companies. He would like to develop interventions in schools.