The Administration of Physical Education, Sport and Outdoor Life (Adeps) has launched its #ParisGagnant campaign, promoting sporting challenges for citizens, just over 100 days ahead of this year's Paris Olympics.
The Olympic Games will take place in the French capital from 26 July to 11 August, followed by the Paralympic Games from 28 August to 8 September. A promotional campaign entitled #ParisGagnant has been launched featuring triathlete Claire Michel and para-cyclist Maxime Hordies.
Supported by Belgian athletes, the campaign encourages citizens to go beyond their limits, following the example of the top-tier athletes who will be competing this summer.
Depending on their fitness level and motivation, participants are offered different types of challenges. The aim is to encourage Brussels and Walloon residents to engage more in daily physical activity and promote its benefits, and combat the detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle.
The campaign's name is a clever play on words of 'Paris' – the host of this year's Games – and pari (the French for 'bet'), encouraging people to take up the challenge of a more active lifestyle, the Walloon sports organisation detailed in a statement.
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Support for the initiative will also come from other athletes in the coming months. These include Naomi Van den Broeck (athletics), Mathieu Noirhomme (karate), Maxime Gentges (gymnastics), Cécile Blondiau (rugby), Adrien Rassenfosse (table tennis), Joachim Gérard (wheelchair tennis), Emilie Musch (rugby), Michèle Georges (para-dressage), and Eliot Crestan (athletics).
Adeps cited a recent study commissioned by the VUB and Sport Vlaanderen. It demonstrated the positive impact of high-level athletes' performances on sports participation among the general public. Specifically, after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, an estimated 59% of Walloons and Brussels residents stated they were more motivated to take up sport.
