BIRD is our second Portuguese project of the September 29th board meeting, led by Decathlon's Setubal logistics team: Pedro, Micaela, Diogo, Joana, Marco, Ruben and Odair. ??
BIRD aims to promote adapted sport for vulnerable people and, in particular, for people with disabilities, to combat the reduced or even limited offer of sport and physical activity for these people living in Portugal, without neglecting the involvement of the community, volunteers and families.
The aim is to promote and develop social inclusion through sport, enhancing both its benefits and its universal language of communication, by implementing interaction, cost-effectiveness, resource-sharing, energizing a wide network of partners, and mobilizing different community players, in order to create the conditions for access to sport and improve conditions for physical activity, without neglecting the active and cooperative participation of people with disabilities.
In this way, the BIRD Sport project will help create the desire to practice sport, and make the pleasure and benefits of sport accessible to as many people as possible, in a sustainable way. Better conditions for practising sport, better opportunities for education, employment and economic growth for the country.
Pedro, Logistics Manager for Decathlon Setubal
"My name is Pedro Carvalho and I am currently responsible for logistics in Setubal. I've been working at Decathlon since 2019 and my main motivation at work every day is the fact that Decathlon allows me to be authentic, putting into practice one of the company's main values which is generosity. I have a great friend, an athlete in the truest sense of the word, who, following an accident, became a quadriplegic. This great friend turned all his weaknesses into strengths, throughout his sporting career. He has continued to train with and without help, and today feels stronger than ever, mentally determined to achieve most of his goals.He is undoubtedly a great source of inspiration to me.
Through this project, I want to send a message of hope to all people with a physical disability, telling them that anything is possible and that sport is the key to realizing our dreams."
Odair, Decathlon logistics teammate in Setubal
"My name is Odair Alves. I'm 38 years old, I practice adapted sports, such as slalom and handball. I've been with Decathlon for 7 months and I'm part of the RAC E-commerce team. This opportunity has changed my life and I want to honor this commitment by always giving 200% of my energy every day. Today, I feel more confident, stronger and have developed several skills. Every day, I transform my weaknesses into strengths, I leave my comfort zone to have the same opportunities as my colleagues. It's also important to say that adapted sport has changed my life, and it's when I do sport that I feel truly fulfilled. Through this project, I want to say that "I'm here to stay", that I'm just as competent as everyone else and that disabled people should have the same opportunities as everyone else. If I can do it, anyone can.
It's very gratifying to work at Décathlon, the company motivates us and creates the ideal conditions for carrying out this type of project. "
On behalf of the entire Foundation team, congratulations on your hard work and dedication!