François Pervis - There are stories that begin and sometimes end. Stories made of falls, of climbs, of rebirths. Stories that seem to end but then start again more fascinating and interesting than before. A bit like the story of François Pervis.
He, a French pistard, who in his career has won seven world titles, four in the kilometer, two in the keirin and one in speed. He, who has made of the challenge, with himself above all, an inseparable companion of adventures. In good times and bad.
Because François Pervis has not had an easy life. His parents, farmers, were certainly not wealthy. But his father always believed in his talents. "You won't have the money to go on vacation, but you'll always have a bike your size," he promised him. And François honored the pact, putting body and soul into it, winning from the start. Making the national velodrome of Saint Quentin en Yvelines his second home, where he trained twice a day, six days a week.
But Pervis was not destined to walk an easy road. Highs, lows, falls and disappointments. Like the one of not being called to the Olympics in which he firmly believed. The void, the darkness ahead, for François began a complex period.
But when history stops, something comes along that can make it start again. And so it was, with a profound experience in Japan that led him to discover the keirin.
He was really strong in the keirin. He regained confidence in his own abilities, began to win again, returned to dream of an Olympics: Tokyo 2020. To close his career in beauty, to crown his dream. But he was not called up for the national team.
And here begins a new chapter, the new great challenge of Pervis: no, he will not participate in the Olympics. But at the Paralympics, yes. Together with Raphaël Beaugillet, who is visually impaired.
A new goal, a message to be launched, a mature and profound way of facing the competition. You no longer do it just for you. There are two of you. And the dream is even more beautiful. Because you give your best for yourself and for your companion in the race and in any way you go, you know that you will have done something great to help those who, in life, face their disabilities with determination and courage, knowing that they can count on the help of others.