Jean-Paul Tony Helissey: "The children of the islands can go very far"

Before going to Paris to start his professional career, Jean-Paul Tony Helissey accepted the invitation from Semsamar to come to Saint-Martin, his father’s homeland. John-Paul is not only "a brilliant student who studied in one of the five best business schools in the world", he is also an Olympic silver medalist in fencing. He won the silver medal at the Olympic Games in Rio in the foil team competition.

One year ago, this young 21-year old athlete knocked on Semsamar’s door in order to ask them to sponsor him for his preparation for the Olympic Games. "As we are strongly committed to sports especially with our project “Sem'ta route”, we quite naturally wanted to help," said Wendel Cocks, the Semsamar President who organized an evening in his honor on Tuesday in Marigot.

Many of the sports associations and Saint-Martin VIPs were present and able to enjoy the champion’s speech. Humbly, Jean-Paul Tony Helissey wants to show that "the children of the islands can go very far" while combining school and sports. "Even though my parents encouraged me to practice this sport, they also insisted on me excelling in school", he said. "I hope that my experience will set an example," he added after thanking his parents who have always stood by him.

"John Paul was five years old when this beautiful adventure began. At that time, the president of the fencing league in Guadeloupe was looking for a left-hander… That’s how John-Paul started and fell in love with this discipline," explained his mother who does not conceal her pride. “I am proud. I’m more than proud. I can write that I’m proud 10,000 times!”, she exclaimed. She also admitted her desire to see her son go to Tokyo in 2020 and "win the supreme title of Olympic champion".

His dad also paid tribute to his son’s performances and his state of mind. "I’m proud of the values that you uphold and it’s important for you that you pass them on to young people," he said.

On Wednesday, Jean-Paul Tony Helissey will meet students from the Mont des Accords Middle School, the Northern islands high school and the school campus (Cité Scolaire).