Nantenin Keïta is one of the French athletes competing for the Paralympic Games and is hoping to win a medal. Here’s everything you need to know about her.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are in full swing in the capital and France is racking up medals thanks in particular to Alex Portal in the swimming event and Gloria Agblemagnon in the shot put. Our country can also count on Nantenin Keïta, sprinter and flag bearer. This September 5, she is entered in the first round of the women’s 400m T13. Here are her secrets.
Where does Nantenin Keïta come from?
Nantenin Keïta was born on November 5, 1984, in Bamako, Mali. However, she came to live in France when she was 2 years old, settling in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, in the Paris region.My parents arrived in France when I was 2 and a half years old because, in Africa, albinos are discriminated against, mistreated, hunted down and killed.” she revealed to Femina versionShe is now Franco-Malian.
She was named flag bearer for the French delegation to the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris and was among the last five torchbearers to light the cauldron.
Who is Nantenin Keïta’s known father?
The sportswoman is a “daughter of”. Indeed, Nantenin Keïta’s father is the Malian singer and musician, Salif Keïta. Since the end of the 80s he has released about fifteen albums and was notably made an officer of the National Order of Merit of the Republic of Guinea. Has his daughter ever been tempted to follow in his footsteps?
“I am very sensitive to music, it is part of my daily life. But it is not the area in which I excel the most. I am even very bad“, Nantenin Keïta confided to TV 7 Days. However, she clarified in Femina version have a ritual: the last song she listens to before a race is always one of her father’s!Because his voice reassures me” she said.
What is Nantenin Keïta’s disability?
The 39-year-old sprinter is an albino and suffers from a significant visual impairment: 0.7 and 0.8 tenths in the eyes, with distinction of colors and distances. In the visually impaired category, she is in the 10.Beyond two meters, it is very complicated to distinguish things (…) I have the privilege of seeing the color contrasts. But it is complicated to distinguish them when the track is wet. The same when there is too much or not enough sun.” she confided to TV 7 Daysas she runs without a guide.
In connection with her disability, she launched a foundation with her father which supports albino children in Mali.The idea is to answer their questions, provide them with sun protection kits, support them in their education and calm parents’ concerns.” she said to Femina version.
What is Nantenin Keïta’s current track record?
At the Paralympic Games, she won gold in Rio in 2016 in the 400m T13, silver in the 200m T13 and bronze in the 400m T13 in Beijing in 2008, as well as bronze in the 100m T13 in London in 2012. In addition, Nantenin Keïta has been world champion on several occasions, notably in 2013 in the 400m T13 and gold in the 400m at the 2015 World Championships in Doha.
What is Nantenin Keïta’s job?
Like many other athletes, Nantenin Keïta has another job alongside her practice. Since 2019, the graduate with a BTS in Commercial Action has been responsible for quality of life and working conditions for the Malakoff Humanis group. Her main mission? Facilitate the inclusion of diversity.
