Isabelle Charest, Minister responsible for Sport, Recreation and the Outdoors, launched the 41e edition of the Défi sportif AlterGo by announcing an investment of $700,000 for the acquisition of adapted equipment through the federations “to ensure that the sport is accessible”.
The atmosphere was festive at the Claude-Robillard Center on Monday for the launch of another edition of the largest multi-sport competition in Canada. The statistics are impressive: 6,000 athletes from 23 countries competing in 9 disciplines.
However, another piece of data also made athletes and organizers happy: an investment of $700,000 from the Quebec government to allow athletes, federations and clubs to better equip themselves.
“I fundamentally believe in the power of sport in the development of a child for physical and personal development, for mental and physical well-being,” explained Minister Charest after her announcement. And one of the obstacles to sporting activity is access to equipment, and we know how expensive adapted equipment is. So it’s super important. It’s one of my priorities. »
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Isabelle Charest, Minister responsible for Sport, Recreation and the Outdoors, launched the 41e edition of the Défi sportif AlterGo by announcing an investment of $700,000 for the acquisition of adapted equipment through the federations.
Chantal Petitclerc, spokesperson for the event and winner of 21 Paralympic medals, is well placed to understand to what extent this kind of support is a priority in the fight led by athletes with physical or intellectual limitations.
“When we talk about chairs or bikes, those are thousands of dollars,” she noted.
But still, this funding, she dares to believe, will also be used to introduce young athletes to physical activity, who have often been deprived of it due to insufficient resources.
“Yes, it takes equipment for each athlete, but if I decide to go skiing at Tremblant, I would like to be able to go down there and do like anyone else and rent skis for the day. It’s one thing to take care of it yourself, but we want these young people, if they want to rent a handcycle, to do so, but we’re not there yet. »
Obviously excited by this involvement of the Legault government, Jean-Marie Lapointe is aware of the speed with which this money will be spent due to the costs linked to adapted equipment and the strong demand.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Host and actor Jean-Marie Lapointe has been involved in Défi sportif for 23 years.
Involved in the Défi sportif for 23 years, the host and actor is nevertheless relieved to see that the cause he has cherished for decades is finally being heard.
“It’s a good first step in the right direction, because this $700,000 will be spent very quickly […] It’s sure it’s going to take more, but it’s a damn good first step. I have the impression that it might be small. »
A pivotal year
In January, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) granted the wish of all Canadian Paralympic athletes: to be entitled to the same performance bonuses as Olympic medalists.
The CPC announced the creation of an $8 million fund to properly and fairly reward Canadian medalists upon their return from the Paris Games.
The year 2024 finally seems to be the one athletes have been waiting for. Petitclerc, who would have received nearly $400,000 in prize money if she had been an Olympian and not a Paralympian, has been fighting for equal scholarships since 2004.
“Yes, it’s a question of costs, because our athletes need it, but honestly, it’s not even a question of money. It’s a question of what message it sends to say that a Paralympic medal is worth as much as an Olympic medal, that it requires as much effort. It is a symbol as important as money. »
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Chantal Petitclerc, spokesperson for the event and winner of 21 Paralympic medals
These rebates, added to the investment announced by Mme Charest, offer a great showcase for Paralympism. In this year of the Paralympic Games, this help is welcome, believes Lapointe: “When it is a year of the Paralympic Games, it is a necessary step, especially for the athletes who have yet to qualify for the Games. »
The minister agrees that “funds are not infinite,” but as a former athlete herself, she understands how life-saving an investment like this can be. So, even if the audience she addressed Monday morning has the unfortunate habit of shining in the shadows and existing on the margins, releasing such funds was not “more difficult than [pour] other clienteles.
Finally, the simple idea of having been heard brings Lapointe back to his desire to make a real difference to advance the movement in which he is involved. But he is under no illusions: this investment is considerable, but it will be necessary to continue in the same vein, because “each year is a pivotal year”.