(Sportcom) The yellow buses were lining up at the doors of Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard on Wednesday, to drop off the hundreds of students from some 50 schools, for the first day of the 26th Défi sportif school segment.
Led by Paralympic wheelchair basketball vice-champion David Eng, the school athletes inaugurated the omnisports hall track between the rows of a guard of honour and with plenty of applause, at the beginning of the opening ceremony. Uniting their voices, Jean-Marie Lapointe, Défi sportif spokesperson for eight years now, and Tracy Wench, AlterGo president, declared opened the 26th edition of the Défi sportif.
For the first day of competition, the high school level students distinguished themselves in athletics and volleyball. The Défi sportif medals habitué in swimming, Mouhamad Aidar, from Le Tournesol school in Montréal, discovered a new passion this year: athletics. The second year high school student finished ninth in the 60 m event, aside from participating in shot put. “I was anxious to get to the end of April”, said the 16-year old athlete. What draws him to the Défi sportif? “Winning medals!” “And outdoing himself, of course!” his teacher adds.
“It is important for our youngsters”, added teacher Danielle Masse from Leblanc school, in Laval. A delegation of over 50 students and teachers represents the school in athletics and volleyball this Wednesday. “From August to April, the students train for the various events during their physical education classes, so they’ll be ready. For them and for us also, this is the event of the year.”
The double gymnasium echoed cries of joy when the volleyball team from Irénée-Lussier school took the win over Le Prélude representatives. Lagging behind 12-13, the students, coached by Philippe Pires, finally were victorious by a score of 23-19. “We are here to have fun; there is nothing serious with your teammates making mistakes. You have to keep on having fun”, the coach told his players in caucus before chanting their rally cry.
Frédéric McDuff of René-St-Pierre school in Saint-Hyacinthe is taking part in his fourth Défi sportif. Member of his school‘s volleyball team, he will also be on the its soccer and hockey teams, later on this week. ”I love sports and I love moving”, declares the one who is always impatient for his phys ed class.
To watch out for on Thursday
Distinguished guests will join the Défi sportif for Partners Day on Thursday. Montréal mayor Gérald Tremblay will be coming as well as the president of the Société de transport de Montréal, Michel Labrecque, who will speak to the other participants about adapted transportation.
The school segment will go on for a second day as athletics, volleyball, soccer and rhythmic gymnastics will be in the spotlight. Ball hockey matches are also on the program at the end of the afternoon for athletes living with a physical disability.
Written by Sportcom