Flag rugby returned to Paris for the third consecutive year on 23 and 24 May when Special Olympics France, in partnership with the rugby union team Racing 92, hosted 300 players at the Special Olympics France International Flag-Rugby Tournament.
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Sports Manager, Matteo Secchi, was on site to soak it all up. He said, “Rugby in general has a unique spirit where there are few barriers between the spectators and the players and between the teams. You could see this spirit shine through in Paris where athletes gave their best on the field, grabbing the flags, intercepting the balls and running at speed. However, off the field, they are all chatting together and it’s clear that they just loved being there.”
Sharing the Magic of Rugby
Julien Collette, National Director of Special Olympics France and CEO of the Organising Committee of the Rugby World Cup France 2023, echoed this sentiment about the unique power and potential of rugby. He said, “While I spent the last six years as deputy general manager of the French Rugby Union, then CEO of the Organising Committee of the Rugby World Cup France 2023, I had the opportunity to show how rugby can be inclusive with the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup that the Organising Committee organised during the World Cup. In other words, these two events announced the amazing future success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, but above all, the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup emphasized, before the Paralympics, how inspiring the paralympic athletes are.”
He continued, “The same magic has happened with the Special Olympics France International Flag-Rugby Tournament 2025, not because the event is as big as the Wheelchair Rugby Cup or the Paralympic Games, but because flag rugby played only by athletes with intellectual disabilities or as a Unified sport, strongly highlights the inclusive power of sport.”
Growing Popularity
The first year of the tournament was a collaboration between Special Olympics France and rugby club Racing 92. This year, Sonepar France, UPS Europe and TOYOTA France joined to support the event. Matteo observed how the quality of the game is improving. He said, “It is getting more professional, involving official referees from rugby and players as supporters. This is driven by increased interest and focus on inclusive rugby—just three years ago, Racing 92 had a team of six athletes with intellectual disabilities and today they have 85 athletes with intellectual disabilities.”
“Proud to Represent Romania for the First Time!”
This local interest is matched by a growing popularity internationally. More than 20 teams from across France joined the tournament while new countries, such as Romania, signed up to compete for the first time this year. Among the Romanian players on the field was Petruta Catalina Leuștean, aged 17 years old and from Câmpulung Moldovenesc in Suceava County. Petruta was bitten by the ‘flag-rugby bug’ two years ago and hasn’t looked back. She says, "I started out of curiosity, but very quickly, I felt drawn to the sport. It gives me energy and joy."
The flag rugby tournament in Paris has only fuelled Petruta’s love of the game. She says, "It was amazing! I felt proud to represent Romania and to be part of an international team. I made new friends, played with passion, and discovered how sport brings people together, no matter the language or country."
A Growing Profile
When it comes to legacy, this event is already having an impact. Matteo says, “This tournament is inspiring others when it comes to the possibilities for flag rugby. For example, another flag-rugby competition is now scheduled in Switzerland later this year.”
According to Julien, the involvement of Racing 92 has raised the profile of the event, bringing flag rugby to a wide audience and showing “how much the sport exists and generates joy and happiness for all.”
As for Petruta, she wants the world—and especially the athletes of Special Olympics—to know about the joy of flag rugby. She concludes, "I want to continue playing, to get better, and to inspire others to try this sport. I hope to participate in more international events with Special Olympics. It’s my dream to help my teammates grow, just like I’ve grown thanks to rugby."
