She is the greatest disabled sports champion in the Pyrénées-Orientales, and yet she may not participate in the next Paralympic Games in Beijing. Cécile Hernandez, 47, three-time Olympic medalist, three-time snowboard world champion, has had its category removed.
An injustice for the athlete
For lack of competitors, the category of Cécile Hernandez was deleted. For two years, to continue to compete, she was allowed to join other categories of disability. But for the Games, the Paralympic committee let him know that would not be possible.
This is totally unfair! – Cécile Hernandez, triple Olympic medalist
“I am allowed to run with the girls at the world championships and not at the Games, whereas these same organizations ?! It makes a fury. Until today, I have won all the races. If I do not go at the Games, it’s completely unfair “, launches the angry athlete on France Bleu Roussillon before adding, “Since I have been disabled, I have been fighting to face the injustices of life. And there it is worse because I have been preparing for eight years. The Angles resort is putting money on me. fed a lot of money. All my partners put in a lot of money …. And to deprive me of the Games is to deprive them too! The International Paralympic Committee is completely trampling on all the values that are to present the best athletes , a value of inclusion, even more in the handicap. It is totally unfair. “
The French Handisport Federation, supported by the CPSF (French Paralympic Sport Committee), took up the case and lodged an appeal. But the decision will only be made a few days before the Games. The Beijing Paralympics will take place from March 4 to 13.