From June 3 to 6, 2024, the “Ensemble on dit Cap” days are held in Nice. Fun and sporting activities for people with disabilities are organized and supervised by the city of Nice. This year’s theme is adaptability.
Once again this year, the city hall of Nice has set up the “Ensemble on dit Cap” days. The goal is to show people with disabilities that sports are accessible to them. This second day takes place at the Les Combes sports complex. Climbing, tennis, padel, oval ball, slackline, curling, artistic dance, and Olympics are on the program to delight people with disabilities and their companions. In the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, the goddess of Olympus is present. She even offers lemonade or orangeade.
L’adaptability as the watchword
About thirty establishments are participating in these days with no less than 1200 participants. For Alain Dublanchet, president of the Nice Curling Club, it is essential to distinguish between disabled sports (physical disability, editor’s note) and adapted sports (mental disability, editor’s note). The club has long worked with the city’s disability unit but was limited to the ice rink, which did not accommodate the centers. Thus, this is its first participation in these days, and the club has invested in adapted equipment to be more inclusive. “It’s important for us to participate in this day because the concerned public has the right to live,” says Alain Dublanchet.
Having already members with disabilities in its club, the Nice Curling Club is part of the 3000 inclusive clubs desired by the French Paralympic and Sports Committee. He further explains, “We see an evolution throughout the sessions of these people in assimilating the rules, differentiating right from left, for example.” Sports can thus help people with disabilities in their daily lives.
The important thing is to bring joy
These days are organized, above all, to make people smile. Jacques Dejeandile perfectly explains this during his speech: “What I love about these days is the organizers’ smiles, but especially the participants’ smiles.” A mission accomplished by looking at the face of each present person where the general good mood can be felt.
It is also an opportunity for these people to discover new sports, like Lina: “What I loved most was climbing because it reminded me of the Saddle Club.” Enough to make young and old want to join a sports club and show that they too are capable of engaging in a physical activity without difficulty.
