Presentation of the 1st “Phénix Award” to Ryadh SALLEM and Manizha TALASH by and at the Learning Planet Institute.
Paris, September 9, 2024 - Named after the mythical creature that rises from the ashes, the “Phoenix Award1”This prize, initiated and supported by the Learning Planet Institute, was awarded on September 4 to Ryadh Sallem and Manizha Talash. The inspiring, extraordinary career paths, resilience and ability to surpass oneself, in their sporting disciplines but also - and above all - beyond, of these Olympic and Paralympic athletes who took part in Paris 2024, were thus honored.
François Taddei, founder and president of Learning Planet Institute, opened the event on the Institute's Paris campus, alongside Ryadh Sallem, member of the French wheelchair rugby team and founder of CAP SAAA, and Mickaël Jérémiasz, head of mission for the French Paralympic delegation.
Nearly 300 guests gathered around emblematic figures from the world of sport, but also from the world of social commitment, such as Jérémie Boroy, Chairman of the National Advisory Council for the Disabled and Philippe Rio, mayor of Grigny (91).
An event exploring the synergies between sport, education and inclusion
«The athletes we celebrate tonight are among the most resilient people in the world. They have overcome disability, but also personal stories of life and death. We look forward to learning from their journeys, and offer to meet their educational needs after the Games. » said François Taddei.
As part of the Story Builders, supported by Youth Department of the Learning Planet Institute, two schoolchildren from Grigny (91) had the opportunity to ask questions to the athletes present, and in particular to Manizha Talash, an Afghan bgirl who fled her country at the age of 19 and is currently a refugee in Spain. The budding journalists were thus able to embody the values and objectives of this pilot educational program: intercultural understanding and inspiration, solidarity through the power of storytelling, and a spirit of inclusion, diversity and empathy.
The evening ended with a break dance demonstration by Manizha Talash and a cocktail reception provided by the caterer Meet My Mama, in exceptional collaboration with Grégory Cuilleron.
Thanks to: the Malakoff Humanis Handicap Foundation ; Michaël Jérémiasz, Ryadh Sallem and Manizha Talash ; Jérémie Boroy ; Students from Collège Jean Vilar in Grigny, Caroline Bouffaut and their companions who came to meet the athletes Philippe Rio, mayor of Grigny (91); The event's partners : UNESCO CAP SAAA Association Fédération Nationale Profession Sport & Loisirs Fondation Engagement Médias pour les Jeunes Writing Foundation - Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques Companies for the City Terrains d'Avenir Foundation for Inclusive Sport PLAY International City of Grigny (91) ADMICAL Cité Éducative de Grigny ; All those who made this evening a great inclusive party: the band Mass Bass, Meet My Mama in exceptional collaboration with Grégory Cuilleron, 25 Degrees, Stardust, Régie Access, Quentin Chevrier ; All the volunteers and staff who helped make the evening a success
Press contact: Agence Econovia
Ali Errakhmi . ali.errakhmi@econovia.fr . 06 34 17 42 90
Ludovic Bayle . ludovic.bayle@econovia.fr . 06 29 65 39 53
Photos: ©Quentin Chevrier
