For several weeks already in Plus belle la vie, even in plus belle, Gabriel (Joachim Latzko) has started training in the hope of being able to participate in the Marseille Marathon organized as part of the 2024 Paris Games.
Nura’s exciting story
During the training, he met Noura, a young woman who also plans to participate in the event. The doctor realized very quickly that Nura had diabetes.
Therefore, it is impossible for him to run a marathon without risking his life. Neither one nor two, he immediately notified the race organizers to let them know he was sick. Therefore, he was kicked out of the event and even blacklisted.
Drama for Noora, who confides in Gabriel that she wanted to run in honor of her grandmother. At a young age, he dreamed of participating in the marathon, but at that time it was strictly reserved for men.
He then cut his hair and borrowed his brother’s card to register for the exam. Unfortunately, just 1km from the finish line, his father forced him to pull back. Nura promised her grandmother, now deceased, that one day she would take part in the marathon in her place.
If this story seems unbelievable, it is inspired by real events.
Women and the marathon are a long history
We know: Since its founding in 2004, Plus belle la vie has always been interested in solving social issues. His return to TF1 was no exception to the rule. In this period, the authors stopped the history of the marathon in the topic of sports.
Because if the story of Noura’s grandmother seems straight from the screenwriter’s brain, it is actually based on events that really happened in the United States. Until the 1960s and 1970s, most doctors argued that the practice of running in women could have effects on fertility and lead to masculinization of the body.
For many years, women were not allowed to run more than 800 m in athletic competitions. In 1964, Roberta Gibb, a young American, ran the Boston Marathon.
The event that gave him the idea to participate in the race. In 1966, he tried to register, but the organizers refused. A decision that doesn’t slow him down. On the big day, she hides in the bush and cautiously joins the male peloton.
To blend in, he wears Bermuda shorts that belong to his brother and a hoodie. Her racing neighbors quickly realize she is a woman, but promise to protect her if anyone tries to stop her from completing the event.
He managed his first marathon in 3 hours, 21 minutes and 40 seconds. Unfortunately, Roberta Gibbs is not registered, so her time is unofficial.
First female marathon runner
Catherine Switzer, also an American, is the first woman to officially participate in the marathon. In 1967, with the support of his coach, he entered the Boston Marathon. Race rules do not officially prohibit women from registering.
But not risking it, he uses the initials and manages to get the precious bib. His partner and his trainer act as bodyguards during the race.
Unfortunately, at the seventh kilometer, Jock Semple, one of the race officials, realized the deception and gave chase. He tries to destroy her pillow and grabs her shirt in hopes of stopping her run.
It was about the young woman’s companion, the shooter, who knocked out the organizer with a shoulder strike. At the risk of being stopped by the police at the finish line, Catherine decides to continue.
Four hours and 20 minutes later, he became Boston’s first official marathon runner. However, he was disqualified by race management and later suspended by the USA Track and Field Federation. She has long campaigned for the cause of women in the world of athletics.
It wasn’t until 1972 that the Boston Marathon was officially opened to women. And it wasn’t until 1984 that women were allowed to run their own marathon for the first time during the Los Angeles Games. In France, we had to wait until 1997 to see a women’s running competition.
Therefore, Noura’s grandmother’s story is directly inspired by these two Americans who helped change the world of athletics.
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Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
