In Belfort, France, two young women have turned their passion for sports into a unique inclusion project. Louise Dookun and Léontine Peter traveled to Mauritius in December for a holiday in the west of the island, but their story goes far beyond a simple vacation. Together, they formed a “handi-valid” duo – pairing an athlete with a disability and a non-disabled partner, blending athletic challenges with a deeply human commitment. Their journey, marked by the 2025 Paris Marathon and the creation of their association Resi Sens, demonstrates the strength of friendship, support, and inclusion through sport.
How the duo began
Louise Dookun, 26, born with a Mauritian father and French mother, is a para-athlete on France’s wheelchair basketball team. Born with spina bifida, she has never allowed her disability to limit her sporting ambitions, also competing in adaptive tennis. Her teammate, Léontine Peter, 26, a former basketball player and trained social worker, has always been passionate about inclusion and disability advocacy. They met in 2024 during basketball training sessions in Belfort. “From day one, there was an instant connection. We just clicked,” recalls Louise.
They decided to co-create a project combining their experiences and shared values. For Léontine, autonomy is key: she recalls her work with the joëlette which is a specialized wheelchair requiring several people to push it. “If anything ever happened to me, I would not want to be pushed if I could still move,” she says. Her social work dissertation focused on motor disabilities and sport as a tool for inclusion.
Their bond quickly became a symbol of solidarity and mutual respect. “We wanted to share something drawn from both our journeys and personalities. I am so lucky to have Louise by my side—she is an incredible force,” shares Léontine.
A monumental challenge: the Paris Marathon
The 2025 Paris Marathon was a huge physical and emotional test. On April 13, after more than five hours of effort, they crossed the finish line together. “At the end, I stood up,” says Louise. “We wanted to finish side by side, not me sitting in the chair.” That moment, charged with emotion, perfectly embodied their unity and shared determination.
Spreading inclusion and innovation
Louise and Léontine now use their experience to inspire others. “Many young people do not believe in themselves. But when you find the right person and accept the hands that reach out, amazing things can happen,” says Léontine.
Their journey also led to the creation of a handmade device that allows Louise, in her wheelchair, and Léontine, running beside her, to move forward independently. The detachable adapter works both in sporting events and everyday life and could inspire other mixed-ability duos.
Solidarity, motivation, and self-transcendence
Their complementarity shines in every race. Léontine recalls a half-marathon when she nearly gave up from cramps at 17 km, but Louise’s strength kept her going. “Her determination stopped me from quitting,” she says. Louise adds that motivation is built daily, “step by step,” through challenges and encounters.
Beyond sport: a shared mindset
For Louise, her connection with Léontine goes deeper than sport. “I had to open up completely, explaining my condition and my tougher days. When I had my first real health issue, her support showed me our bond was far beyond athletics.”
Léontine echoes this feeling: “Before sport, we are two human beings. During marathon training, we faced hard times. That is when I realized our relationship was much more than a project or message.”
To overcome those moments, they rely on their shared philosophy. “I live in the present,” says Louise. “If we do not act today, tomorrow might never come. We have to live every moment fully.” Léontine finds inspiration in the words of French artist Grand Corps Malade: “Fate is a trickster, you can fall anytime. To face it, you need heart and a resilient mind.”
Looking ahead
Their association Resi Sens continues to grow with two main focuses: sports and community outreach. They collaborate with rehabilitation centers, help form new pairs, and improve their wheelchair adapter to make sports and daily life more accessible for people with disabilities. On the athletic front, they are already eyeing the 2026 Paris Marathon, pushing again beyond their limits.
“For now, our association is non-profit,” explains Léontine, “but we hope to make it sustainable in the coming years and maybe even create something here in Mauritius, a structure for adaptive sports. We are thinking about it.”
Their journey is a shining example of solidarity, creativity, and perseverance. Through their actions and energy, Louise Dookun and Léontine Peter prove that with teamwork and trust, great things are possible. Their duo embodies friendship, inclusion, and courage, reminding us all that sport can be a powerful driver of empowerment and human connection.
Key facts
Louise Dookun: 26, para-athlete, wheelchair basketball player, spina bifida, former adaptive tennis player.
Léontine Peter: 26, social worker, former basketball player, passionate about inclusion through sport.
Handi-valid duo: Formed in 2024 in Belfort, built on trust, autonomy, and complementarity.
Achievements: 2024 Lion Half Marathon, 2025 Paris Marathon (finished side by side), founded Resi Sens to mentor other pairs.
Innovation: Custom wheelchair adapter for joint autonomy in sport and daily life.
Message: Inclusion, solidarity, self-improvement, youth empowerment, and disability awareness.
