French Paralympian Stéphane Houdet on why every disadvantage has an advantage

One of France’s leading Paralympians has spoken to FRANCE 24 about his motto in life, as he reflects on the success of this summer’s Paralympic Games here in Paris. Stéphane Houdet told us that “everyone has two lives, and the second one starts when you understand that you have only one”. He says sport is about communication and what we can do together worldwide. Houdet is a three-time Paralympic tennis doubles champion – in 2008 in Beijing, 2016 in Rio and 2021 in Tokyo, as well as a silver medallist in singles and a bronze medallist in doubles at the 2012 London Games. He was also world champion in 2012. At this summer’s Paralympics, he was squeezed out just before the medal stage, but has already said he will be competing in Los Angeles in 2028. He spoke to us in Perspective.