Earlier this year as France ramped up to host the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Fanélie was asked to carry the Olympic Torch in the city of Lyon, France near her hometown of Saint-Chamond. On 26 July, with her family, friends and fellow Special Olympics France members in attendance, Fanélie proudly walked through the packed streets of Lyon bearing the Olympic Torch with the Olympic Flame—a representation of thousands of years of athletic excellence and the remarkable athletes who have competed in the Games.
Special Olympics partner, The Coca-Cola Company, is committed to inclusion and opportunities for all and helped to secure quota for 12 Special Olympics France athletes to be part of the Paris 2024 Torch Relay. Fanélie was nominated and selected to carry the torch by her home Special Olympics program due to her commitment to improving sport along with being a role model, advocate and trailblazer for the Special Olympics movement in France.
The other members of the Torch Relay included dignitaries, supporters of Paris 2024, French citizens nominated by their communities, previous Olympians and Paralympians and many other notable personalities from across the globe. Fanélie, along with the other torch bearers, are champions in their community as they continue to push for inclusion, community and sport opportunities, respectively.
Fanélie shared, “I was very proud of this moment because I could be myself while everyone around me supported me as I carried the torch. All my family and friends were there to support and cheer for me as well.”
Fanélie, who has Down’s syndrome, has traveled around the world representing Special Olympics France and this past year in Berlin marked her fourth time competing at Special Olympics World Games. She previously participated in Special Olympics World Games Korea 2013, Los Angeles 2015 and Abu Dhabi 2019. The French athlete is a two-sport specialist as she competes in both swimming and basketball.
“Sports bring people together. When I was in Berlin, I was able to connect with friends, but also other athletes from around of the world in different sports through things like pin trading. Sports help with making sure no one is ever alone.”
She is no stranger to a torch relay though. Fanélie has witnessed the incredible Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), as an athlete and spectator, at all four of her Special Olympics World Games Opening Ceremonies. Special Olympics, similar to the Olympics and Paralympics, has a torch relay for their World Games that travels from the origin of the Olympics and home of the Olympic Flame in Olympia, Greece to the respective host country where it is then paraded through the country in lead-up to the Opening Ceremony for the Games.
Fanélie shared what she would say to athletes competing in the Olympics, Paralympics and Special Olympics, “Play together, think of the team over oneself, work towards the collective goal, and to enjoy and have fun being part of a team with other athletes.”
After competing in Abu Dhabi, Fanélie shared things “just clicked” for her and she grew immensely both personally and athletically, finding a new sense of confidence in her capabilities. She was named a Special Olympics France Athlete Leader and is now helping other athletes from her country so that they can be the best version of themselves on and off the playing field. Fanélie is referred to as the “little fabulous lady” by her coach Marie, who has seen how Fanélie has not only inspired herself with her passion for inclusive sport, but also how she has inspired others to be more inclusive as well.
In preparation for Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, the LETR Torch and Torch Run will begin in Athens, Greece at Zappeion Hall where the Torch will be lit and then brought to Rome, Italy. From there it will then travel through hundreds of towns as it makes its way to Turin for the Opening Ceremonies of the Games.
