Handisport artistic swimming, official recognition remains an obstacle course

They created the association Nat’Handi Artistique in 2021 with one goal: to gain recognition for artistic swimming for people with disabilities. They are mothers of athletes who fight for their daughters to be able to play their sport competitively, despite their disability. Among them, two Marnaises are taking up the challenge and are at the forefront of organizing the World Cup next August.

Gain recognition from the sports world. Hoping to see, one day, their daughters will represent France during the Paralympic Games. Or simply, in official competitions.

High-level sports are so organized in France that we have to fight to bring new categories into a sport that is already well established. Artistic swimming, formerly synchronized, has been recognized as Olympic since 1984, the little sister among the disabled does not even have official recognition at the national level.

This is the challenge several families have taken on across the country. They created Nat’Handi Artistique so that their children, who suffer from often invisible disabilities, could continue to practice a sport and, above all, participate in official competitions.

Sandra Millart, president and Céline Foret, treasurer, both from Marne, are part of this team of enthusiasts. Mothers of two young girls with already impressive records: champion of France, vice-champion of France, world champions, they want to move the lines. “Today, during competitions, we have to contact the judges to find out if our disabled athletes can participate and if disabled sports platforms can be set up”, explains Sandra Millart, mother of Elsa, three-time world champion in artistic swimming for the disabled. But nothing obligates anyone.

It is only the departmental committee in Essonne that has included in its regulations the organization of the establishment of a sports podium for the disabled during its artistic swimming competitions, with accommodation for athletes with disabilities. A committee of dozens exists in France.

Last year artistic swimmers with disabilities took part in the French championships held in Strasbourg. Elsa won the title of French champion and Louison the title of French vice-champion in their category. This year, the French Swimming Federation told them that the organization of the competition did not allow the arrival of athletes with disabilities. A hard blow for the hard work carried out by the association Nat’Handi Artistique.

As we are not recognized by the French Federation, we cannot receive public subsidies.

Sandra Millart, President of the Nat’Handi Artistique Association

A door closes, but the association’s leaders head for another exit. “We contacted the president of the French adapted sports federation (FFSA), Marc Truffaut (a Marnais) and we met himspecifies Sandra Millart, president of the Nat’Handi Artistique association. We must now apply for affiliation with the FFSA. He told us: you bring me a women’s sport on a platter. A new hope towards the road to possible recognition.

And to further show their determination, the leaders of the Nat’Handi Artistique Association took the responsibility of organizing the Artistic Swimming World Championships for athletes with disabilities and inclusive teams. They take place from 13 to 15 August at the Olympic swimming pool in Châlons-en-Champagne. “The city, the city community and the Châlons swimming club are fully with us in this organizationexplains Sandra Millart. We are therefore still full of optimism. The logistics are organised, our cooperation with the artistic swimming section of the French swimming federation and knowing the Grand Est artistic swimming manager means that we can have a judge and IT for the competitions.

There is a budget of 25,000 euros and we are missing between 6 and 7,000 euros.

Sandra Millart, President of the Nat’Handi Artistique Association

Where Sandra Millart is more concerned is closing the budget. “Since we are not recognized by the French Federation, we cannot get public subsidies. Everything comes from private sponsors, and we also responded to three calls for projects.” During these worlds, 12 referees will be accommodated and fed, 12 clubs welcome from USA, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, France especially and maybe Argentina and Canada, that is 48 athletes with disabilities and 30 able-bodied athletes. “There is a budget of 25,000 euros and we are missing between 6 and 7,000 euros.” A prize pool on the Hello Asso website has been launched. “We have been a recognized association, since 2022, of general interest of a sporting nature, which allows companies and individuals to exempt their donations to our association from tax.”

Before and after these three days of competition, the association Nat’Handi Artistique organizes a whole week around inclusion through sport. Artistic swimming will of course be at the center of the programme, but a more general round table discussion on how to bring children with disabilities to sport will also be a highlight. “On the evening of 13 August, we are organizing a round table on this topic to answer all questionscontinues Sandra Millart. Which sport for my disabled child, is he able to? And we will be together with representatives of other disciplines.” On August 11 and 12, two days will be dedicated to training clubs that want to welcome disabled athletes but have not yet taken the plunge. “Clubs have already contacted us to become ‘handi-friendly’. to take place etc.” Finally, 16 and 17 August will be two days of dedication to artistic swimming open to everyone.

These World Championships will also be an example of solidarity, with the establishment of inclusive competitions that mix disabled and able-bodied athletes. “It doesn’t usually exist in competitions, but we want to show this solidarity between teammates. This acceptance of others and this openness to deal with their handicaps. We want to be more about emotions than achievements. We want, so to speak, to other clubs, which are afraid to welcome athletes with disabilities: look!”

Elsa, swimmer from the Stade de Reims Natation, artistic section, triple world champion in artistic swimming for people with disabilities in the USA in 2022, will carry the Olympic flame in Reims on June 30. She who dreams of participating in the Paralympic Games will receive this flame as a sign of fate.