Solene Sache

Started: She learnt to swim at a young age in Vaureal, France, before joining her first club, Cergy Pontoise Natation. She began competing at age 10. "I started swimming when I was very young, my father brought me to the pool, I followed my older sister Lucile into swimming. Swimming has helped a lot in terms of my growth and posture, and I really like it." (airzen.fr, 01 Jan 2024; bleushandisport.com, 01 Oct 2023; 13commeune.fr, 25 Jul 2019) Reason: After going to the pool with her family as a young child, she was later encouraged to take up Para swimming by a coach. "As I have that state of mind, I immediately took part in competitions, and once I started it I wanted to do it all the time. What I love about swimming is it's a sport where I feel free. When I'm in the water I don't feel my disability. In the beginning I swam because I liked it, I went three times a week, and eventually I discovered I liked the competition and it wasn't just for fun. I swim for good times, not just to have fun." (airzen.fr, 01 Jan 2024; bleushandisport.com, 01 Oct 2023; 13commeune.fr, 25 Jul 2019) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 and 2028 Paralympic Games. (bleushandisport.com, 01 Oct 2023; Instagram profile, 02 May 2022) Additional Info: CLUB TRAINING She trains at her club, Cergy Pontoise Natation, alongside non-Para swimmers. "I swim in a club for non-Para athletes, and training against non-Para swimmers is not a problem for me. The coaches know how to adapt the training for me. I think it's important because the non-Para swimmers see my disability and recognise that I am capable of swimming alongside them, so they recognise and accept someone with a disability, and for me it proves to myself that just because I have a disability it doesn't mean I can't train with anyone." (airzen.fr, 01 Jan 2024)