Celebrating International Women's Sports Day with two exceptional athletes

Created in 2014, International Women's Sports Day aims to denounce the under-mediatization of women's sport. It's therefore important for us to highlight, in the same way as our male athletes, our female Paralympic athletes. Even today, women's sport remains in the shadows compared to men's teams.

Conquering the summits: Marion Blais Paralympic athlete

An orthoprosthetist since 2020 at Lagarrigue (Eqwal Patient Care France brand), Marion Blais is first and foremost a high-level athlete with a tibial amputation. She has been playing wheelchair basketball since 2016. Now at the CTH in Lannion, Brittany, Marion is focusing all her efforts on preparing for the 2024 Paralympic Games. She's still pushing her physical and mental limits to prepare as well as possible. 5th at the European Championships in Rotterdam in August 2023 with the French Women's Team, she feels ready and motivated. She will be taking part in the Paris 2024 qualifiers at the Paralympic Qualifying Tournament (TQP) in Osaka, Japan, from April 17 to 20.

Regularly training with the French team, she travels all over France to get ready. These intensive sessions reinforce team cohesion and improve individual and collective performance. Every training moment counts in this quest for excellence.

Abigail Wells, from cancer survivor to adaptive sports advocate

Diagnosed with cancer at the age of 14, Abigail had to have her right leg amputated. Now 19 and cancer-free, she is committed to helping people with disabilities and chronic illnesses keep their faith and keep moving forward. As the head of a non-profit organization, Natural State Adaptative, whose mission is to provide resources and opportunities she couldn't find herself, Abigail is deeply committed to the inclusion of people with disabilities.

On this International Women's Sports Day, Abigail caught our attention because, thanks to our American subsidiary New Hope Prosthetics & Orthotics, she continues to take part in athletics and CrossFit competitions. She now works for Move United, an assocSWiation that helps people with disabilities gain access to sporting activities.

She is currently taking part in CrossFit competitions and striving to reach the Adapted Sports Games. Over the next few months, in partnership with CrossFit Conway, they will be organizing adapted CrossFit classes for which she will be able to contribute her knowledge of the subject.

Beyond their sporting achievements, Marion and Abigail become role models for all, reminding us that sport is a powerful vector for inclusion and self-improvement. Their stories highlight the strength of character needed to overcome adversity and realize one's dreams. Today, let's continue to promote gender equality on the pitch, support our athletes and inspire future generations.