with Champ’ Dragon Ladies
Submitted by Emilie Blond.
On June 30th, during the Paris 2024 Olympic torch relay and for the first time in the history of Dragon Boating, the Olympic Flame travelled with pink breast cancer ladies on board. Members of Champ’ Dragon Ladies, a very young team created in 2022 at Châlons-en-Champagne (France), had the opportunity to be chosen by the Olympic Committee to paddle across “Lac du Der”.
This Sunday morning, all the elements were unleashed : rain, wind, storm, we could see waves on the lake that is generally calm. But nothing can stop Dragon Ladies when they have such a great mission to accomplish!
Philippe, a History teacher, arrived on a thermal boat with the Flame and for a reason we still ignore, the boat accelerated in the direction of Ladies boat. The Dragon’s head was totally broken due to the collision.
This did not prevent the flame from being lit. After paddling 500 meters in such difficult conditions, they succeeded in placing Philippe on the ground for the relay. For sure, this day will stay forever in the memories and in the history, as a big honor and great chance to show that we can survive after breast cancer and live incredible things. One boat, one beat, one direction: life!
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