For the first time in history, snowboarding will be present at the Paralympic Games. An event for the world of snow sports and its representatives. Patrice Barattero is one of the candidates for the upcoming Sochi Games in Russia, which will take place from March 7 to 16, 2014. Licensed in the Nice region, this snowboarder was recently pre-selected to represent France at the Paralympic Games.
Nice Premium: What are your feelings about this pre-selection?
Patrice Barattero: I am obviously happy. Two of us have been selected for snowboarding, which is part of the alpine skiing domain. Eric Dargent from Marseille and myself. It’s a nice surprise, despite the fact that I was expecting this pre-selection, I was hoping for it. But in France, we are not fully recognized, so there was some doubt. We were not certain about participating in the Paralympic Games in snowboarding on the French side.
NP: How do you see the unique opportunity to participate in the Paralympic Games?
PB: It was not certain that this first appearance of snowboarding at the Paralympic Games would gain such significance. In a short time, the number of licensed participants in adaptive snowboarding has surpassed Biathlon. This sport is starting to gain importance and the organizers did not know how the discipline would evolve. But this is a tremendous opportunity. The movement has truly been launched.
NP: Can you tell us a little about your journey?
PB: I was one of the first to practice snowboarding with one knee missing. At the time, one couldn’t do it. I wanted to practice this discipline at all costs. Several people helped me create a prosthesis and further develop it. This prosthesis was finalized in 2011. From that date, I was able to fully benefit from this tool. Even today, I test new modifications on this prosthesis. Thanks to snowboarding, I have been several times the best in Europe and very recently involved in worldwide high-level competition.
NP: How do you find the funding to train and practice snowboarding at this level?
PB: The person who designed my prosthesis helps me a lot with the equipment. Since the brand couldn’t distribute the prosthesis sufficiently, they sold it to a large company. In the meantime, they provide me with test prostheses. Of course, I expect a lot from this partnership. Since the brand is a partner of the Paralympic Games, I won’t have to hide the logo if I am selected. The finalization should arrive soon if everything goes well for me. I also represent the team06, which directly depends on the regional council. The latter helps me financially for practicing my sport.
NP: What is the impact of Anices, the adaptive sports club in Nice where you are licensed, on your daily life as a high-level athlete?
PB: Thanks to Anices, I found a structure that supports me daily. I can train three times a week and the club helps me with my travels. And on a moral level, when I start on a track, I feel the support of the whole club behind me. We are all supportive, psychologically it is invaluable.
NP: What are your goals if you participate in the Paralympic Games?
PB: I am a fighter, I want to do my best. But my handicap is quite severe. I am missing a knee and 80% of the other participants have their knee. I improve my prosthesis as much as possible, I do my best to keep competing, but without clearly defined categories, it’s very difficult. My disability is penalizing. But I am a fighter at heart. I constantly aim for the top spots and at least a podium. Without properly established rules, my goals are limited, but I hope that in the future I will be able to fight for a world cup or the equivalent on equal terms with my competitors.
