From Monday 15 to Saturday 20 November 2021, the table tennis club St Marceau d’Orléans organizes the 10th edition of “Changing the view on disability”. Nearly 80 classes, from primary to high school participated, as did the general public. An event with disabled sportsmen to convey a message and especially to exchange with the youngest.
Thursday, November 18, 2021, it was “Dark Ping“, a somewhat special table tennis tournament. medalist bronze at Tokyo Paralympic Games, Florian Merrien, also sponsor of the event, explains the atmosphere of this tournament. “The room is plunged into darkness, there are reflective bands around the rackets, on the tables. We just see lines and a ball moving around. For table tennis lovers, there is nothing better to have fun“But he also warns that exercise is not that simple.”Even for those who play in clubs, it’s still complicated because we are used to watching how the balls turn, to see the gestures of the opponents in order to anticipate.“
– Julien frenoy
A week to change the outlook on disability
For Marylène Lablée, president of the St Marceau d’Orléans table tennis club, it is proud to see this event take place in these conditions. “The date for this edition has been taken a year ago. We are about thirty volunteers and we are supported by many partners. It is still a success but we are not surprised. The sport appeals to children and in addition if they have champions in front of them, it is only happiness.“
8 p.m., the lights of Orleans Sports Palace go out, we only see the 24 table tennis tables set up for the occasion. Fluorescent light strips, nets, racquets and balls. For Martin, it gets complicated. “It is a form of handicap because we see less and therefore inevitably the reflexes are less“. For the more seasoned, it is not easier, as Vincent explains. “We see less of the ball arriving, we also see less of the effect.”
– Julien frenoy
Anyone Can Beat Anyone
Anyone Can Beat Anyone … or Almost Anyone. It’s a tournament that has many surprises in store. For Fabien, the tournament organizer, playing in the dark helps balance the debates. “Competitors completely lose their bearings. This is what allows amateurs to go hang them a little, or even beat them.”
Night club atmosphere
There is also the nightclub atmosphere with a DJ to set the pace for the meetings. There is more of 60 registered. From 6 years old to 70 years old, everyone gets together to play in a good mood. “We think we’re in a nightclub, we can dance while playing and that’s what I do, because it makes me younger“, says Agnès. 11-point encounters to climb to the final. After almost two hours of meetings, the tournament ends with a high-level final. The Dark Ping experience is a success.