EP 17 - Marie-Amélie Le Fur, living legend of disabled sport

Today, I'm going to talk to you about your favorite heroine's favorite heroine... A superwoman who's impossible to hate, a true wonderwoman . Yes, it's hard not to be inspired by her story. I name Marie-Amélie Le Fur.

The 36-year-old Frenchwoman embodies resilience, determination, and performance. Before becoming one of the greatest figures in Paralympic sport, she overcame unimaginable challenges. Here's the story:

A promising childhood and a shattered dream

Marie-Amélie began athletics at the age of six with the dream of becoming a professional firefighter. But her life took a tragic turn on March 31, 2004, when she was involved in a scooter accident at the age of 15.

Three days later, she underwent a below-the-knee amputation of her left leg. For many, this would have been the end of her sporting career.

…but for Marie-Amélie, it was just the beginning of a new chapter.

A quick return to the track

Incredibly, Marie-Amélie started running again just four months after her accident. She quickly contacted the Disabled Sports Federation. Despite fears of not being at the same level as her former athletic colleagues, her need to run and push herself has never left her.

She quickly found her place in the world of disabled sport, and participated in T44 events (lower limb amputees). Her debut at the Paralympic World Athletics Championships in 2006 (yes, just 2 years after her accident!) , was marked by three silver medals.

This is just a promising start to an exceptional career.

🥈At the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, Marie-Amélie won two silver medals, one in the 100 meters and the other in the long jump.

🥇She continued to excel at the 2011 World Paralympic Athletics Championships in New Zealand, where she won gold in the 100 and 200 meters.

The London 2012 and Rio 2016 summits

The London 2012 Paralympic Games were another turning point for Marie-Amélie's career...

🥇She won her first gold medal in the 100 meters,
🥈as well as a silver medal in the 200 meters
🥉and a bronze in the long jump.

But it was in Rio in 2016 that Marie-Amélie really shone.

🥇 She won two gold medals… and broke the world records in the long jump with 5.83 meters and in the 400 meters with 59:27.

A strength of character

After the Rio Games, Marie-Amélie decided to take a break to focus on the Paris 2024 bid and her desire to start a family. Unfortunately, she was struck by the loss of her child shortly before the end of her pregnancy...

Despite the ordeal, she finds the strength to set new sporting goals!

A few months after this tragedy, she participated in the European Championships in Berlin, winning the long jump title with a new world record of 6.01 meters .

A respected figure

Marie-Amélie knew how to use her fame for important causes.

Since 2008, she has been a patron of the Handivalides campaign, a national event aimed at integrating students with disabilities onto campus. She is heavily involved in the development of Paralympic sport and the fight against discrimination.

She is a consultant for France Télévisions during major disabled athletics events and participates in campaigns against discrimination, alongside Antoine Griezmann and Estelle Mossely.

In 2016, she was named an Officer of the Legion of Honor.

In December 2018, she was elected president of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee, succeeding Emmanuelle Assmann.

A fight for inclusion

Marie-Amélie Le Fur is also involved in social projects to promote inclusion. In 2017, she joined the "Café Joyeux" project, a chain of cafes employing people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. This project aims to change society's view of disability and offer professional opportunities to those who are often marginalized.

A list of achievements…

She holds world records in the long jump (6.14 m in 2021) and the 400 meters (59.27 s in 2016).

Her total of nine Paralympic medals (including three gold), twelve world medals (including four championship titles) and five European medals is a shining testament to her talent and determination.

…and a mind of steel!

" She has a steely mind, she has an incredible mind!" reports her trainer. "She's someone who is capable of making immeasurable sacrifices to achieve her goals and lead her three, four, or even five lives. It's her mental strength that characterizes her. She's capable of getting up every day at six in the morning, or even earlier, and training eleven times a week. Because she wants to do everything, and she wants to do everything well."

In short, Marie-Amélie embodies the ability to overcome the most difficult obstacles with grace and determination. Her message is clear: no matter the challenges, with passion and perseverance, anything is possible .

"This amputation has also shaped me, " she confided on eurosport.fr. " For me, it's not something less. It's even my little extra, which allows me today to shine and be happy. Sport has offered me a multitude of life opportunities; I was lucky enough to make films, I have an exciting job at EDF, and I chair the CPSF (French Social Welfare Fund). Without my disability, all these doors would not have opened."

His message is clear: no matter the challenges, with passion and perseverance, anything is possible .

The 2024 Olympic Games

Today, Marie-Amélie has decided to put her career on hold to devote herself 100% to her role as President of the Paris 2024 Athletes' Committee alongside Teddy Rinner! Marie-Amélie, who represents Paralympic sport, hopes that these Games will be a real springboard for these athletes who deserve much more recognition and media coverage!

So if you didn't manage to get tickets for this summer's Olympic Games, there are still plenty (too many) left for the Paralympic Games between August 28 and September 8!

It's an opportunity to discover the Olympic Games from a new angle and, above all, to give recognition to these athletes who deserve so much more!