15 Nov 2016
Doha, 15 November 2016. On Tuesday morning three high-profile French sports athletes who competed for their country at the very top including at the Olympic Games in the recent past paid a visit to Aspire Academy. Nine time Paralympic medalist David Smetanine, Flyweight Female Boxer and silver medalist at Rio 2016 Sarah Ourahmoune and London 2012 basketball silver medalist Emmeline Ndongue took time from their hectic schedule and mission to canvas support for Paris 2024, Candidate City Olympic Games 2024 bid to tour Aspire Academy.
The comprehensive tour, took the athletes into the classroom where they joined a Mathematics lesson, interacted with the students and answered some questions much to the delight the student athletes. The students were fortunate to be advised by the French athletes who have competed successfully at the top of their respective sports. Basketball player Emmeline Ndongue’s words to Aspire Academy student athletes were, “Work hard, train hard and do not forget to enjoy playing sport for the love of it. I encourage to take your education seriously as it is the most important part of the great opportunity you have of being a student here at Aspire. Your sporting career will come to an end and a good education will serve you well for the rest of your life”.
Fellow female athlete and boxer Sarah Ourahmoune told the students, “Do not settle for less than you deserve and believe you are capable of. Female boxing was not usual sport for girls but l took it up and persevered with it and you too must persevere and be determined to do your best in your sport.” Swimmer David Smetanine shared on the discipline required in sport and urged the students to decide early in their sporting careers how disciplined they want to be. “You can have a long sporting career if you choose to have one, barring injuries of course but should you employ the discipline required with such as training and diet there is no reason why you cannot still compete late in your life”, said 42 year old David Smetanine who went on to add that he hasn’t exactly closed the curtain on his swimming career and after participating at Athens (2004) Beijing (2008) London (2012 and Rio (2016) Paralympic Games he is not ruling out a fifth consecutive appearance in Tokyo (2020) as yet.
International and local media were present during the tour that also saw the three athletes signing the academy Wall of Fame and answer some media questions before receiving Aspire Academy commemorative token from Mr. Ali Salem Afifa, Aspire Academy Deputy Director General.