Ex-motor journalist Christophe “Krikke” Jardon (Moto 80, Moto & Loisirs) has known many highlights in his professional career. The likeable native of Liège has had the chance to taste the best motorcycles in the world and has made unforgettable motorcycle trips to exotic locations. This week, Christophe starts a new once-in-a-lifetime adventure. As a member of the Team Belgium communication team, he will be following our Paralympic athletes to Paris!
The Paralympic Games will take place in the French capital from the day after tomorrow, August 28 to September 8. It is now the 17th edition of the Paralympics. No fewer than 4.400 athletes from 182 countries will compete in 22 sports disciplines. Our country will send 29 athletes, TeamNL will travel to France with 86 top athletes.
What exactly does your on-site task entail?
Christophe Jardon: “With a team of four people on site, we streamline communication for our own channels such as the website and social media of Paralympic Team Belgium. In addition, we organize requests and interviews from the accredited media with our athletes, both in the Paralympic village and in the mixed zone. My role in Paris is an extension of what I do as communications and marketing manager for the Ligue Handisport Francophone. With Jeroen (Bauters) and Lothar (Desmet), our teams also include specialists from G-Sport Vlaanderen, along with Hélène Masson from the Belgium Paralympic Committee. It will certainly be busy weeks, but I'm really looking forward to it!”
You have always been very sporty yourself and have practiced various Paralympic disciplines. Was it ever a possibility that you yourself would go to the Paralympics as an athlete?
Jardon: “I have to admit that I have already asked myself that question. On the other hand, we are talking about top sport here! Paralympic athletes live for their sport, just as much as able-bodied athletes. As an able-bodied person, I would never have called myself an elite athlete. Our athletes make enormous sacrifices. Whether it concerns their training, the discipline or all other aspects that come with their sport... It is professional. Anyone who participates in the Paralympics regards sport as his or her job. I really enjoy sports, but the mental aspect and the strictness that come with a lifestyle as a top athlete are not for me. For me, sport is synonymous with fun. At the highest level you deal with special personalities. People who are super competitive, who want to push boundaries. They have something special in terms of mentality!”
There are indeed plenty of examples of sports people who have suffered injuries after a serious accident high performance lifestyle continued. Such as ex F1 pilot Alex Zanardi (four-time Paralympic gold medal winner), David Bailey and Marc Herremans (both triathlon) and, among others, Joël Roelants, Dave Versluis or Axel Allétru.
Jardon: “Exactly, (laughs) I notice that you have done your homework!”
Who are the key points of Team Belgium that we should keep an eye on?
Jardon: “We will compete in 11 disciplines in Paris and we have contenders for medals in several sports. For example, we are strong in cycling with a smart delegation (Tim Celen, Louis Clincke, Ewoud Vromant, Jonas Van de Steene, Maxime Hordies, Marvin Odent), in athletics (Léa Bayekula, Maxime Carabin, Martin Clobert, Peter Genyn, Roger Habsch, Kiara Maene, Selma Van Kerm), table tennis (Laurens Devos, Ben Despineux, Marc Ledoux and Florian Van Acker) and equestrian sports (Manon Claeys, Michèle George, Barabara Minneci, Kevin Van Ham). In addition to the athletes, the decor will also be more than worth it. The athletics will once again take place in the Stade de France and you will recognize many well-known locations in Paris for the various competitions. That is certainly part of the spectacle.”
In Flanders, some Paralympians such as Ewoud Vromant, Manon Claeys or Florian Vanackere are already somewhat known to the general public. What about in Wallonia?
Jardon: “I think the tennis player Joachim Gérard is our most notable participant. He was at the top for years, reached number 1 in the world rankings, won the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Joachim took silver in Rio, Paris will be his 5th and last Paralympic tournament. Wheelchair racer Roger Habsch is also well known in Wallonia. Ahead of the Games we have already seen increased interest from the media, both national and regional press. That is of course only positive.”
Have you ever played against Joachim Gérard?
Jardon: “No, you can't start with that! Joachim's tennis level is really on another planet compared to mine. That would be like if I had ridden against Stefan Everts or Valentino Rossi in the past. So no way!”
Unfortunately no Belgians in team sports.
Jardon: “That's true, unfortunately indeed. Both wheelchair basketball and Blind football or Goalball are very spectacular and there is always a lot of atmosphere during top matches. Hopefully we will have teams that qualify for LA in 2028.”
Do you still follow what's happening in the field of motorsport?
Jardon: “Gosh, yes a little, but much less than before. The first year after my motorcycle accident (ed. October 2014) I followed everything closely, but after that it became less and less. Although I occasionally look at the MXGP results. I'm also curious about the MX of Nations. Especially because I follow our national coach Joël Roelants on social media. A new generation of Belgian top riders has emerged in cross-country and that in itself is of course fantastic!”
What is your fondest memory as a journalist/test driver?
Jardon: “I have been able to ride very special racing motorcycles such as the last Honda that Valentino Rossi rode in the MotoGP, the Yamaha factory motorcycles of Stefan Everts when he combined 250 and 450, the KTM SX540 Joël Smets and so on. Actually, it's not as much of a party as you might think! You only get very little time during such a factory test, which means there is a lot of pressure. (smiles) Let's just say that the perfect Instagram experience and reality are quite different! You want to write a good and interesting test, but in terms of driving it also has to be something for the photos. And they are expensive, exclusive motorcycles, so you shouldn't take too many risks. Falling is out of the question if you are invited to such an occasion by a manufacturer. So it is difficult to really enjoy such a moment.”
You've also been to a lot of places you wouldn't have gone otherwise.
Jardon: "Certainly! There are so many adventures that I look back on fondly. The Trans Tunisia Rally, the BMW GS Challenge in South Africa, with Yamaha we went to Finland for the WR models. Driving in the snow for several days together with an ex-500cc topper - Dirk Geukens was also there for Motorgazet - was fantastic. The YZ450 presentation at Budd's Creek was another top experience. Every now and then I think back to that time when a T-shirt or photo from that time pops up. I also have fond memories of the 12h of La Chinelle. You drive as a team in a very special atmosphere, taking turns driving at night… Truly unforgettable moments!”
After a motorcycle accident, some people look for a new way to stay in the world. You deliberately didn't do that?
Jardon: “No, not. As I said before, I was still completely into it at first. Just as much as before: I read all the magazines and checked the news online, I followed the races on TV... Gradually that interest decreased, let's say from 100% to 15% or so... There are plenty of riders who are going back to the track with custom engines. I have also regularly received proposals to try out some kind of engines. That doesn't mean anything to me though. I have tasted the very best and I fear that such an experience can only be disappointing.”
Especially at the Summer Games, the question is always who will emerge as the king or queen of this edition. Are there athletes who can transcend their sport during these Paralympic Games?
Jardon: “I don't have much insight into that because I am mainly familiar with our national athletes. Netflix made an impressive documentary a few years ago with 'Rising Phoenix'. Nine Paralympic athletes were portrayed, including the Italian fencer Bebe Via. They have certainly reached a larger audience. Maybe someone will emerge in Paris who will become an absolute star, who knows? But at the moment I don't see it happening with a big star like Michael Phelps or Simone Biles. Fortunately, there are national exceptions with athletes who also touch the masses. Just think of Marieke Vervoort (athletics) with us or Esther Vergeer (tennis) in the Netherlands.”
Perhaps the power of the Paralympic Games lies elsewhere than that gigantic machine that is the Olympic Games.
Jardon: “You cannot ignore the fact that there should suddenly be much more media attention to create superstars. Although attention is certainly growing, I don't see an explosion in that area. You should also not forget that the 'exposure' is divided because at the Paralympics you have different categories depending on the disability of the athletes. In the 100 meter wheelchair you have many different classes and therefore many different medal winners. This allows national stars to emerge. More than just individuals, the next two weeks will be about the spirit of the Paralympic movement: perseverance, equality, inspiration and courage. Sports have the power to change lives.”
You are also a witness to that last statement yourself.
Jardon: “For sure. Anyone who has experienced a major setback like me by the way. After a spinal cord injury, sport is always on the program during rehabilitation. Even if you suddenly find yourself in a wheelchair, it allows you to change your mind. They throw you a ball and before you know it you are playing basketball. It is a way to have fun again, to be physically active - which was obviously important to me - and to make social contacts. Even after my rehabilitation, I continue to exercise. Firstly, because I had little else to do. In this way I got to know different sports, from wheelchair basketball to triathlon, hand cycling to tennis and skiing. I'm sure sports have helped me a lot to live the life I have now. Unfortunately, due to my busy professional schedule, I don't have enough time to exercise a lot at the moment!”
Just like for the Olympic Games, there is actually a double mission. On the one hand, achieving medals for the elite athletes, on the other hand, they are the driving force that can get people to exercise.
Jardon: “The latter is indeed an important challenge for both the Ligue Handisport Francophone in Wallonia and G-Sport Vlaanderen. After the Games, the interest of people who want to take up sports themselves increases. That is why we must be ready to receive them in the sports clubs. This way we can effectively get more people to exercise. The further development of top sport is another matter. Resources, i.e. subsidies, are needed for this. Especially because you also incur additional costs for the Paralympic sports. The material is often expensive because wheelchairs and handbikes are becoming more and more sophisticated. Technology is also making progress there with lighter material and real racing applications, but unfortunately the price tag is correspondingly. In addition, foreign trips are more expensive than for regular athletes, while it is much more difficult to find sponsorship.”
The Belgian team is already heading to Paris under favorable conditions. Team Belgium already did well in the 'first half'.
Jardon: “We are certainly ambitious for the second half. In Paris we want to do better than in Tokyo where we won 15 medals. The fact that it is close to home this time certainly plays to our advantage. Logistically everything is much easier and it is close by for supporters and family. That also makes a difference and will certainly give you a boost. For the first time, there is a private base for the fans with the “Lotto Paralympic Belgium House”. It certainly cannot be due to the location on the Champs-Élysées!”
Ideal for throwing a few parties. Good luck!
Jardon: “Thanks, we'll go for it.”
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Handisport/Gilles Dehérand, Johan Temmerman/NNieuws Serge Frocheur
