© Stade de France ®
Macary, Zublena et Regembal
Costantini - Architects
ADAGP - Paris - 2002
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VOLUNTEERS  PORTRAITS |
 HANDICAPPED FANS TAKEN IN HAND
Paris 2003 Saint-Denis
From the moment they arrive at the Stade de France® forecourt until they take their seats in the lower stand, disabled spectators are looked after by 36 Volunteers, exclusively devoted to their needs.
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| Silke Renk, Olympic gold medallist |
Special lifts
The Volunteers, sporting armbands emblazoned with the acronym “PMR” (“persons of reduced mobility”), patrol the forecourt and lower stand of the stadium guiding disabled spectators and catering to their wishes. With the help of their escort or a Volunteer, disabled or elderly persons unable to get about freely take one of the two lifts reserved for their use before being helped to their seats behind the lower stand’s last row, which is itself reserved for the escorts.
Solving every little problem
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event! They are delighted to be here”, comments Claudine, PMR team leader. “It’s going very well. We’re making sure they’re all right and taking care of any small problems that arise. Yesterday, for example, members of the same group found that their seats were not together. We did what was necessary to ensure they were reunited. I also took care of a group of deaf and dumb spectators. It was a bit difficult for us to understand each other as I don’t know sign language, but we managed”. A physiotherapist by profession, this sports fanatic played a similar role at the 1998 World Cup and has been working with persons of reduced mobility for several years now.
Meet and Olympic champ
“It’s really enjoyable. There’s a human side to it that you just don’t get with the ordinary Joe Public”, the team leader continues. Besides, she will also have the opportunity to meet with certain enthusiasts who have booked their seats for the nine days! Among them, the Olympic gold medallist in the javelin at Barcelona 1992, Silke Renk.
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