Guy Taupin

Guy Taupin will carry the Olympic torch**. This is his story:**

Visually impaired since 1981, Guy’s talent was quickly spotted. In 1986, he shone on his first participation in the French championships by becoming French champion in the 100 metres and the javelin. His performances catapulted him onto the international stage, enabling him to win bronze in the javelin at the European Championships in Moscow the following year. This success opened the doors to him for the first ever Paralympic Games in history in Seoul in 1988, where he reached the semi-finals of the 100 metres as well as the finals of the long jump and javelin. For more than ten years, his records in the javelin and 100 metres remained unbeaten.

In 1990, Guy chose to settle in Martinique to carry out his trade of piano tuner as well as piano maker and to be closer to his family. Driven by the desire to represent the ‘island of flowers’ in para-sports at national level, he joined ASHPM, with whom he took part in many competitions, thus contributing to the notion of creating a regional para-sports league in Martinique in 1991. Over the years, Guy continued to shine on the national and European sporting scene, competing in events such as the 100 metres, 200 metres, long jump and javelin. His last European competition was the European Championships in Valencia in Spain in 1995, where we won the silver medal in the 200 metres. His determination, his energy and his roll of honour make him an exemplary Olympic torchbearer, illuminating a remarkable sporting career, despite the challenges encountered along the way.