Damien Letulle: 🇫🇷 Competing In Paris Will Have A Special Meaning For the French Para Archer

Published: Aug 07, 2024 Duration: 00:03:01 Category: Sports

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My name is Damien Letulle. I'm an archer and a member of the French national team. I've been practising archery since I was 12. My career's been somewhat unusual, knowing that I had a career as an able-bodied athlete in the beginning, but after the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, I fell during training and became a person with quadriplegia. So, since 1997 I have a disability and I took up archery again when Paris was elected to host the Games. I had completely given up on practising archery because I thought Para sport was not necessarily about athleticism. But then I met some Para athletes, I realised that, to be amongst the best, you also need to be an athlete and dedicate yourself to become one of the best. That was an additional motivation for me, and Paris was elected to host the Games which made me commit more to take part once again in the Games. Certainly different this time, but equally exciting especially on the home turf. My next goal is my life goal, and it's about the Games in Paris at Les Invalides. That's a special place for me. After the accident, I spent 18 months going to rehab there. During that time, I questioned my future a lot. Returning there with a bow in my hand was unthinkable. Therefore, these preparations and my life itself are more meaningful to me. The fact that it's in France, and my family and friends will be there is important to me. It's an inseparable part of my life. Those who supported me while I was able-bodied, and those who follow me today on social media, are with me wholeheartedly. Although large crowds are not common in archery, we'll need to prepare well to overcome our emotions during this competition. Of course, there are defeats, questions, and things that make you wonder if you should keep doing it. Today, I think it's worth it, and I'll do my best to perform as well as possible.

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