“Hello Nicole! » Thus began the municipal council of Val-de-Reuil (Eure)this Tuesday, October 10, 2023. The mayor, Marc-Antoine Jamet (P.S.) spoke to Nicole Ban, the head coach of Canada’s women’s sitting volleyball team. Disabled athletes have indeed chosen the youngest new town in France, the rear base of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, to train.

“On behalf of my team, thank you very much”

A contract was thus signed between the 33 elected officials of Val-de-Reuil and the National Olympic Committee of Canada. Forest seated volleyball players will train in the Tony Parker Hall (Léo Lagrange gymnasium) as well as at the Jesse Owens Gymnasium.

In English, the Canadian coach declared: “We visited the City last February. And that’s why we decided to come back. Not just before the Paralympic Games, but next November, to train in your equipment. » Fadilla Benamara, deputy in charge of urban renewal and relations with traders, then attested that the team had been “amazed by the quality of our facilities and our welcome. This is what determined their choice, this is why they chose Val-de-Reuil. »

“I will try to learn a little French before coming in a month,” promises Nicole Ban before giving the floor to one of her players, AllisonLangwho speaks in the language of Molière, having studied in La Rochelle during the summer of 2017.

I love France and I’m very excited to come back in November to explore Val-de-Reuil. On behalf of my team, thank you very much. We are excited to have qualified for the Olympics. We are proud to represent, not just sitting volleyball, but all Paralympic sport.

From August 18 to 24, 2024 in Val-de-Reuil

The Canadian players will train in Val-de-Reuil between November 5 and 8, just before leaving for the world championships which will take place in Cairo (Egypt). They will then come back from August 18 to 24, 2024before the Paris Paralympic Games which will take place from August 28 to September 8, 2024.

To properly accommodate athletes, the City of Val-de-Reuil will equip itself with the necessary equipment for sitting volleyball, such as adapted nets, specific training targets, approved balls, etc. In exchange, the Paralympic Committee of Canada will pay €10,000 to the municipality. A sum determined according to Val-de-Reuil’s investments, the objective being to achieve balance. “This amount does not include accommodation or meals. The delegation will use the services of Val-de-Reuil such as hotels,” said Rachida Dordain, 7th deputy in charge of sport. And Marc-Antoine Jamet added that “on travel, the Normandy Region will provide its support”.

Normandy’s only Paralympic team

On a medical level, Val-de-Reuil physiotherapists are available for the team. “And we made the link with the Rouen orthopedic center which is also at their disposal if necessary,” adds the mayor.

In exchange, Canadian athletes accepted time for discussion with young Rolovaloisin order to address the values ​​of sport, disability in sport and to highlight the discipline of sitting volleyball.

Canada is the only Paralympic team that will come to train in Normandy. We are very proud to welcome you. All Rolivallois will be your cheerleeders!

Val-de-Reuil is also the rear base of another foreign delegation, that of Saudi Arabia. The protocol was signed on July 19 during the visit of Prince Fahad Alsaud. The approximately 60 Saudi athletes will stay at the Mercure hotel. They will arrive on July 10, 2024 and will stay for almost three weeks. To prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, they will train on the athletics track and in the Jesse Owens indoor stadium, as well as in the Léo Lagrange gymnasium for combat sports.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.