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François Bourbonnière
Inspired Paralympian searching for recruits to pass on his passion
For young athletes, François Bourbonnière’s impressive career can only be an inspiration. Starting his 18th year in boccia, he has so far taken part in three Paralympic Games: Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004.
“Forgotten” for the Beijing games in 2008, he did not get discouraged and made a strong come back last fall at the Americas Cup.
In spite of his significant baggage, the Montrealer has always been friendly with his teammates, opponents and coaches. He has always promoted boccia.
I pass on my passion for the sport by giving advice and sharing game strategies. But I also remind everyone that boccia remains a game, even if I sometimes forget it myself
, he says laughingly.
I try to share my experience. The young ones are the ones who will make my sport keep on growing and become more popular still. It is important that Quebec remains a domineering province in boccia.
For a few years now, more and more youngsters are playing. It is nice to see my sport developing. It is a source of motivation for veterans to not get beaten by the young ones coming up
, says François who himself benefited from a mentor’s experience when he was starting out.
Sylvie Sauvé, bronze medalist in the 100 m, T36 category, at the Seoul Paralympics was an inspiration for the 35-year old athlete who was then practicing the shot put.
I met her at the beginning of my sporting career. My goal was to get to the Paralympic Games. Sylvie encouraged me to try my luck with boccia, a sport she had observed in Seoul. She thought I could become a good player
, humbly explains the Sorel native.
In my first tourney, an athlete from the Canadian team, Debbie Wilson, talked to Sylvie about me. She told her that she thought I had the potential to make the cut with the national team.
François’ career quickly took off, in part thanks to the Défi sportif. The Défi people gave more and more room to boccia. Many selection camps for the Canadian team happened in the framework of the Défi.
It is now for one of the top players in the country over the last 15 years to inspire others. I am living proof that it is possible to reach a high performance level. I still have passion for the game, even after 18 years. I think it is important for me to set an example.
