2023-07-13 20:20:00
“Keep pushing me, I want to go all the way!”, shouts Hassan, who lost the use of his legs following a terrorist attack in Finland in 2017 and whose battery of his “handbike” dropped. shortly before the end of the Grand Colombier pass.
At the top, the emotion of the participants was palpable and for good reason, the effort of more than four hours made to reach the end of these 17.4 kilometers of this exceptional pass was breathtaking. The forty victims of terrorist attacks from 11 different countries managed to cross the finish line together as part of the Together Stronger event organized by V-Europe with, icing on the cake, a cover of Heroes by David Bowie at the piano by Ozark Henry.
During the infernal ascent of this exceptional pass with passages of up to 14%, the victims from Belgium, Germany, Argentina, the United States or India were able to count on the encouragement of the many supporters gathered along the road in view of the passage of the riders of the Tour de France this Friday.
Survivor of the attacks of March 22, Karen Northshield will be at the start of the 20 Km of Brussels: “Give hope to everyone”
“This is the third edition of this event which aims to bring together the direct and indirect victims of terrorist attacks from all over the world”, explains Marion Van Reeth, victim of the Manhattan attack in October 2017 during which she had both of her legs amputated and is the wife of one of the project’s founders, Aristide Melissas. “It is a feeling of intense joy to have been able to achieve this feat with the help of a handbike, accompanied and supported by all the victims and the staff. It was very hard but the ascent was achieved in an incredible atmosphere and incredible solidarity.”
Among the participants, we find Karen Northshield, one of the survivors of the Brussels attacks who underwent more than sixty operations and was plunged into a coma for four months. The doctors gave her zero chance of survival but seven years later, she managed to climb the Grand Colombier after having participated in the first two editions organized at Mont Ventoux and Alpe d’Huez.
“My everyday life is like a succession of obstacles to overcome.”
“There is a very symbolic side to climbing such a pass”, explains this 38-year-old former swimming champion. “My everyday life looks like a succession of obstacles to overcome. What allowed me to succeed in this challenge was the support of other victims as well as that of my family, on whom I have always been able to It is above all for my parents and my eight brothers and sisters that I realized this challenge. I also think of the people who have disappeared and those who overcome trauma on a daily basis to find a semblance of normal life.
All about the 13th stage, a July 14 in the form of a 137 km mountain race with an arrival at the Grand Colombier
The participants showed incredible perseverance, like one of the event’s sponsors, Marc Herremans, 2006 Ironman world champion and disabled triathlete following a fall in a ravine in Lanzarote in 2002. This 49-year-old athlete climbed the 17.4 kilometers with the help of a handbike… without electric assistance. A feat hailed by all the supporters along the climb and which commands respect.
“Better than my victories in Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders”
The other godfather, former world cycling champion Johan Museeuw, did not hide his emotion at the end of the climb. “This adventure is, for me, better than my victories in Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. The message delivered is extremely powerful. The fact of fighting all together looking in the same direction, thinking back to the loved ones who have disappeared with all the bad memories that resurface, it is something indescribable”, explains “the Lion of Flanders”, close to amputation in 1998 following a fall during Paris-Roubaix and who nevertheless managed to win the 2000 edition.
A huge challenge to organize such an event at the same time as the Tour de France
He also wishes to highlight the organization of this event in the middle of the Tour de France. “I’m happy for myself, for the victims and the whole organization. We’re still talking about the biggest sporting event in the world and climbing the Grand Colombier one day before the professional riders, it’s a huge challenge that has been taken up. “
This Friday, the participants of Together Stronger will attend the start of the Tour de France stage, the finish of which is judged at the Col du Grand Colombier. A commemoration in tribute to the victims of the Nice attack is also planned.
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