Report on the event – "Pushing back the limits: a lesson in unlocking our full potential through the stories of Paralympic athletes"

On December 16, the Department for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), in collaboration with the Disability Office, organized a round table with four Paralympic athletes who shared their inspiring stories of perseverance and overcoming the odds.

•    Nantenin Keïta and Trésor Makunda, members of France's Para Athletics team, shared their perspectives on the importance of team work and collective performance. They emphasized the extent to which cooperation and mutual support are key drivers for overcoming obstacles.

•    Esteban Herrault and Mathieu Thomas spoke about resilience in the face of challenges and shared a fundamental lesson for us all: It is better to try and fail than not to try at all.  

The athletes, who emphasized their role as ambassadors to help change views on inclusion and disability, were full of inspiring messages: we need to know how to celebrate our victories; sport is a way of associating disability with performance and success; dream big, but get there by taking small steps.

The event concluded with a relaxed cocktail reception, giving participants an opportunity to chat to the athletes in person.
 
It was a timely reminder that sport and science share the same philosophy of always pushing back boundaries to achieve excellence. Many thanks to you all for your attendance and your active participation! [croquis]

An illustrated event
Graphic facilitator Fanny Didou sketched the discussions in real time, capturing the essence of this unique event. Her drawing, which serves both an artistic and informative purpose, reflects the energy and emotion of the event.

See the live sketch of the round table here: