Perle Bouge

Started: She began Para rowing in 2009 when the sports club she belonged to requested her advice on modifications being made to its pontoon in order to make it more accessible to people with an impairment. (worldrowing.org, 01 Sep 2015) Reason: "I discovered a sport related to nature, where the wheelchair is left on the pontoon. In rowing, you have to reach beyond your physical limits. You also need to be in tune with the boat to feel it glide. This sport is physical and technical. Each time you go out in the boat, it is different. I permanently need to question myself, which allows me to blossom, enjoy myself and progress. I also enjoy the mixed-gender aspect of the sport at the elite level." (worldrowing.org, 01 Sep 2015) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (radio.vinci-autoroutes.com, 10 Dec 2023) Awards: In 2012 she was named a Knight of the National Order of Merit by the French government. (legifrance.gouv.fr, 31 Dec 2012) In 2011 she became the first Para rower to be named French Rower of the Year by the French Rowing Federation [FFA]. (sudouest.fr, 28 Mar 2012) Additional Info: OTHER ROLES She served as a member of the athletes' commission of the organising committee for the 2024 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Paris. She has also served as an ambassador for the French Paralympic and Sports Committee [CPSF]. "Sport has allowed me to rebuild myself, to create a link and to meet people from different horizons as well as living extraordinary adventures. As an athlete I have the desire of passing the baton to the younger ones, sparking within them the desire to practise a physical activity. I also want to transmit the values that sport has taught me. Sport can help to create a more open-minded and accessible world." (paris2024.org, 03 Dec 2019; sportmag.fr, 08 Aug 2018; france-paralympique.fr, 2018) OCCUPATION She has worked as a sports technical consultant for the regional Para sport committee in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in France. (sportmag.fr, 08 Aug 2018)