The alert for the need to preserve the environment and save the planet launched Nicolas Vandenelsken on a tour of France, who this Saturday entered Paris, where he finished his 84th marathon in 84 days.
“I do to my body what we do to the planet”said the athlete, whose goal is to run 100 marathons in 100 days, with an appeal to all of France so that sport also respects the planet.
Between trucks and urban chaos, Nicolas Vandenelsken made his entry into the French capital, site of the 2024 Olympic Games, after touring 10 regions of the country.
He has traveled 4,200 kilometers since he started in Montargis (central France) on September 3, running a marathon (42,195 kilometers) a day.
The total route, which will form a heart on the map after 100 days, allows visitors to cross France to raise awareness about the climate, contacting some 2,000 children and visiting associations and farms.
Interrupted during a symposium on doping, the Minister of Sports and Olympic Games praised and applauded the 30-year-old’s bravery.
I think that sport is a great vector to challenge as many people as possible”, said Amélie Oudéa-Castera.
Nicolas Vandenelsken consulted doctors before embarking on this adventure, which he hopes to end on December 10.
“With my mental strength and my training I can achieve this performance,” he explained to the minister, adding that he does not advise anyone to do 100 marathons in 100 days: “Maybe in five or ten years I will feel it in my joints.”
Founder of the Uni-Vert association and member of the Sport Planète collective, Nicolas Vandenelsken is one of the “eco-adventurers” who have chosen to raise awareness of climate issues through sport.
“We took the liberty of writing a letter calling for sports to adapt to climate change, while respecting the integrity of nature, which is addressed to all organizers, all sports ministries. […]???????? We have to condition sport and events on respect for the integrity of nature”, he continued.
Continuing with his 42 kilometers a day, he then left for the banks of the Seine River, with his technical team and two friends who accompanied him during the day this Saturday.
The Tour of France in 100 marathons in 100 days will end on December 10 in Valenciennes, in the north of the country.
Source: Observadora
