Clouvel and Belaud support Laser-Run City Tour in Perpignan (FRA)

More than 300 participants took part in a sun-drenched Laser-Run City Tour in Perpignan (FRA) and their efforts were applauded by some Modern Pentathlon VIPs.

The Club of Perpignan built on the experience of hosting the 2016 Laser-Run World Championships to ensure that the new concept of Laser-Run City Tour would be demonstrated in exemplary style.

Laser-Run is now well inscribed in the Catalan landscape, like pentathlon, and this event allowed many participants from very young to veteran to discover it.

The race distances adapted to the different age categories in a spirit of conviviality and common values, and there was also an underlying spirit of competition.

This enabled young people from Perpignan schools to come and test themselves, and among the participants were young people from a departmental medical centre suffering from respiratory or overweight diseases.

They were all warmly applauded and rewarded for their commitment.

Joël Bouzou, President of the French Modern Pentathlon Federation (FFPM) and Vice-President of UIPM, made a speech that enforced the message that sport is an essential social bond in our society.

It was a view shared by the many sporting and political figures who came to appreciate and support the demonstration, including Jean Roman, President of the Departmental Olympic and Sports Committee, Yvan Meunier, Departmental Director of School Sport and Nathalie Beaufils and Fatima Dahine, elected from the city of Perpignan.

In her speech, Ms Hermeline Malherbe, Chairperson and Senator, noted that sport contributes to building the citizens of tomorrow.

Elodie Clouvel, Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist and her partner Valentin Belaud, 2016 UIPM world champion, attended in support of their club and their region. They happily posed for photographs and gave autographs. They encouraged young athletes and gave advice to those who solicited them.

Hyacinthe Carrera, President of the Perpignan Club and Vice-President of the FFPM, congratulated all the participants and mentioned that none of it would have been possible without the contribution of educators and volunteers.