About the Défi sportif
A word from the spokespersons
Chantal Petitclerc & Jean-Marie Lapointe
Each year, from the very first minutes of the event, a great adrenalin rush is felt: hundreds of young exuberant athletes take over all available space. It is a moment full of effervescence, a great celebration of life.
At the heart of the Défi sportif, there are thousands of athletes who show up, assert themselves and outdo themselves. In this special year that will see the 25th anniversary of the Défi sportif, the Quebec Special Olympics and the Beijing Paralympic Games, let us hope that they will take over very, very much space, even beyond the schools and gymnasiums. It’s a question of creating for ourselves a richer, more inclusive society.
As Défi sportif spokespersons, we invite you to go and meet those fiery, passionate and true athletes. Beyond the sport, the sweat and the effort, live an extraordinary human experience!
Concept
World unique, the Défi sportif is an international event that assembles athletes from the elite and newcomers, with all types of disabilities. From April 30 to May 4, 2008, the 25th Défi sportif will bring together over 3,000 athletes from 18 countries, who will face each other in thirteen sports with the support of over 900 volunteers. Presented by Hydro-Québec, the Défi sportif is organized by AlterGo, a grouping of organisations with a common concern, access to leisure for handicapped people.
Mission
Stimulate the practice of sports and promote a dynamic image of people with disabilities.
The Défi sportif in a few words
Wednesday April 30 to Sunday May 4, 2008
- 3000 athletes from 18 countries worldwide
- 270 sports clubs
- 40 elementary and high schools
- 375 coaches
- 900 volunteers
5 competition days
6 competition sites in Montr al
- Claude-Robillard sports complex
- Michel-Normandin arena
- Maurice-Richard arena
- Collège de Maisonneuve
- Pierre-Charbonneau centre
- Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit
Athletes from all 5 disability groups
- Auditory
- Intellectual
- Physical
- Mental Health
- Visual
13 adapted sports
- Ball hockey
- Basketball
- Boccia
- Cycling
- Fencing
- Goalball
- Rhythmic Gymnastics
- Rugby
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
Sport partners
Provincial
- Association québécoise des sports en fauteuil roulant (AQSFR)
- Association québécoise de sport pour paralytiques cérébraux (AQSPC)
- Association sportive des aveugles du Québec (ASAQ)
- Association sportive des sourds du Québec (ASSQ)
- Fédération de natation du Québec (FNQ)
- Fédération d’escrime du Québec (FEQ)
- Fédération québécoise des sports cyclistes (FQSC)
- Special Olympics Québec (SOQ)
- Sports-Québec
National
- Canadian Blind Sports Association (CBSA)
- Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (CCPSA)
- Canadian Cycling Association (CCA)
- Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)
- Canadian Fencing Federation (CFF)
- Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association (CWBA)
- Special Olympics Canada (SOC)
International
- International Paralympic Committtee (IPC)
- International Wheelchair Fencing Committee (IWFC)
- Union cycliste internationale (UCI)