Breast cancer: “We are living proof that one can survive it”

In France, a woman dies every hour from this disease. At the call of the Athletic Club of Cannes, famous or anonymous athletes mobilized for the “Challenge of Celebrities” race, which was highly contested. It raised 2,656 euros, entirely donated to breast cancer fighting associations. The victory went to Zouhair Ouerdi among men, Ingrid Lopergolo among women, and to former French basketball team captain Stéphane Ostrowski in the celebrity challenge. The patron of the event was none other than volleyball player Victoria Ravva (two-time European champion with RC Cannes).

The check was handed over to Eliane Bezut from Résiste 06, based in Nice. The association of women who suffer or have suffered from this cancer set up its stand in the heart of Carno kiosk. Its volunteers offer listening, support, help, and psychological assistance to patients. “We are the living proof that one can survive the disease. That’s why we have a large number of registrations,” says Madeleine Hupé, vice-president. For Eliane Bezut, there is no doubt: “One screening equals one life saved.”

The race featured two events: one of five kilometers, the other of ten, along Boulevard Carnot. Five hundred participants, most of them wearing pink bibs, the color of the cause, set off at exactly 11 o’clock.

Each at their own pace

Zouhair Ouerdi, winner of the ten-kilometer race, humbly admits to having easily overtaken most of his competitors, simply swallowing up the kilometers. And for good reason: this Moroccan, from the Monaco club, was a semifinalist in Athens and world champion! The champion acknowledges that he mainly came to train. “I’m preparing for national and international championships. It’s an opportunity to run close to home,” he confides. As for Ingrid Lopergolo, a member of the “Running in the Region of Grasse” club, she affirmed her support for “this work against breast cancer,” while reminding that not everyone is always lucky.”

More modest in sports, Vincent Bakhtiar does not hide his pride. “I’ve improved compared to last year. I think I finished among the top fifteen. Not bad! It’s a difficult race; before the finish line, there’s a deceptive incline. My legs began to weaken on the second pass.” A few steps away, a mother and her daughter are exhausted but happy. Dorothée and Marie-Claude Sergeant are undertaking their first race, driven by the desire to support the fight against breast cancer. “The ascent is hard, but crossing the finish line makes you forget the effort,” they recount. “There’s a good atmosphere: a really nice experience.”

Gilles Rondoni, the event host, did not skimp on superlatives to describe everyone’s performances. “It’s always a pleasure to discover these athletes, these budding champions, and these anonymous participants,” declared Bernard Brochand, Mayor of Cannes. Moreover, along this boulevard, which is the backbone between Cannes and Le Cannet. Alongside Patrick Tambay, he presented the trophies to the winners.

As for the celebrities, a handful of recognized athletes attended the event. European karate champion and world bronze medalist Sonia Fiuza, former French volleyball team captain Alain Fabiani, and Jean-Camille Oyac (physical trainer for SAS Prince Albert II of Monaco), among others, were present in a celebrity challenge won by former French basketball team captain and European champion Stéphane Ostrowski.

During the month against cancer, the Résiste O6 association organizes a day of meetings between doctors and patients on October 7th in Nice. Information: https://resiste06.free.fr

Results:

10 km:

1. Zouhair Ouerdi 31’11
2. Sébastien Auger 31’50

3. Ahmed El Massaoudi 35’12

4. Gilles Maraboeuf 35’12

5. Eric Blasi 37’6

6. Olivier Corteccia 37’06

7. Ingrid Lopergolo 39’52 (first woman)

8. Matthew Dowle 40’35 (first senior)

9. Nicolas Dalmasso 42’41 (first junior)

5 km:

1. Fabien Charles 16’59

2. Lyes Nouira 17’13

3. Shandley Golwin 18’20

4. Fabio Saino 19’54

5. Mondher Jedidi 20’18