The 40th anniversary of the Défi sportif AlterGo is in full swing in Montreal's sports facilities. Smiles, tears, joy and good humor are the order of the day. Young and not-so-young athletes with disabilities take part in a wide range of sporting events, having fun and coming together to combat differences and express themselves to the full through sport.
From April 21 to 30, 2023, 6,000 athletes from 26 countries and 37 schools across Quebec will be competing at the complexe sportif Claude-Robillard. They are surrounded by 1,000 volunteers and a hundred or so sponsors for "10 days of fire and brimstone". as one long-time volunteer tells us.
"We can do sport, we can win medals, we can all have fun together and we can win as a team: that's the most fun," says young athlete Océane, with a big smile on her face, before adding "it's ULTRA great".
Océane, Olivier, Tamara, Ryan, Louana, as well as the accompanying staff, teachers and volunteers, all came together with a common goal: to SMILE and feel proud of ourselves!
The Défi AlterGo is no stranger to the Canadian sporting scene, as it is the largest multi-sport event for people with disabilities of all functional limitations (hearing, intellectual, motor, visual, autism spectrum, speech/language and mental health).
It's around various events that everyone will be able to surpass themselves, reveal themselves, applaud, encourage and, above all, marvel at themselves and create multiple memories. From athletics to gymnastics, from soccer to boccia, from baseball to field hockey and cycling, there's something for everyone, and all dreams of medals are allowed.
"I can see the sparkle in the participants' eyes, that's the greatest gift you can get from the Défi sportif. They're so proud, not just the athletes, but also the instructors, the chaperones and the parents. You have to take your hat off to these people, who give their all to turn these youngsters into top-quality athletes year after year," confides a volunteer, with a tear in her eye.
"What I remember most about the event were the smiles. From the athletes to the volunteers and donors," says Yan MARTIN, director of the Défi AlterGo.
From the up-and-coming to the elite, this event is designed to bring together participants of all kinds.
