Why athletes go above and beyond for good causes

Doctor in Montpellier (Hérault), Cécile Garcia Cabrol did not think she would find herself on the Roof of the World. Fascinated by the mountains, the young woman climbed impressive peaks such as the Aiguille Verte des Alpes (4,122 m) or Aconcagua in Argentina (6,962 m). But on Mount Manaslu, in the Himalayas, at an altitude of 8,163 m, the experience takes on another dimension. Here, the body lacks oxygen to such an extent that one experiences the sensation of never filling one’s lungs. The heart races in the polar cold.

Cécile accomplished this extraordinary ascent out of solidarity. An intern at the hospital, she supports patients awaiting organ donations and founded, with several doctors, the 1 km pour la vie association which raises awareness of this cause. The principle? Sports lovers run or hike voluntarily to boost donation campaigns.

The formula is a winner, because, in France, sporting challenges for a good cause have been a sensation since the 2020s. Some large companies have gotten involved, such as Société Générale, with its collective races for the benefit of youth associations, since 2021. The French University Sports Federation created a challenge in 2022 which encourages students to cover as many kilometers as possible for environmental associations. In 2025, Secours populaire will organize races across France against precariousness.

Cécile chose to conquer the Himalayas to communicate about bone marrow donation. Taking this spongy substance, contained in our bones, can save patients with blood diseases. “But few people know it,” regrets the doctor. So, I chose a long format which allows it to attract the public’s attention and provide education. » Throughout its journey, the association team distributes information online about bone marrow donation. The objective? Gain visibility.

Often, fundraising is part of the adventure. Charities such as Imagine for Margo (against pediatric cancers) and Action Against Hunger collect financial donations during sporting events financed by sponsors. But challenges also arise from personal initiatives, accompanied by a prize pool for an association.

The phenomenon benefits from the rise of crowdfunding, this participatory financing on internet platforms. Now, online collections are flourishing. The digital platform Lyf claims that 46% of French people have already taken part in it. According to its competitor, Leetchi, the funds dedicated to mutual aid have even increased by 25% between 2024 and 2025.

The major sporting challenges, which are highly publicized, garner astronomical amounts of money. The approach dates back to the 1930s in the United States when President Franklin Roosevelt founded the “March of Dimes”: adults and children then took part in this major charity march to raise funds against poliomyelitis, a disease which paralyzes the limbs. This symbolic event invites walking for children who cannot get around like others. In France, since 1985, an association has encouraged people to breathe for those who cannot breathe like others. Across the country, the Vaincre la cystic fibrosis association brings together walkers to raise funds against this disease affecting the respiratory tract. (read box at end of article).

Make community

From then on, the great impulse of the heart is launched. In 2002, the Odysséa association inaugurated its famous pink t-shirt races against breast cancer. Sophie, 34, has participated in the event three times in recent years in sunny Cannes (Alpes-Maritimes), alongside thousands of people. Not very sporty, this conditioning agent appreciated the challenge, deliberately accessible to all to create massive support.

“A friend suggested that I take part in a 10 km Odysséa walk alongside the race,” says Sophie. Her commitment touches me a lot because she lost her mother to breast cancer. » In the middle of the crowd where young people, elderly people and people in wheelchairs mixed together, the young woman remembers feeling a certain pride in supporting the sick.

This is not the least of their interest: solidarity challenges become a means of recreating bonds in an individualistic society. Where social networks encourage people to display their sporting performances like a trophy, where physical activity is increasingly practiced alone in a gym, with headphones on, solidarity challenges therefore make it possible to create a community and give meaning to the effort.

Positive awareness

Valentine, 30, chief of staff in a large casino chain, has embarked on a titanic race. In the summer of 2025, she completed an Ironman: 3.8 km of swimming, 180.2 km of cycling, then the 42.195 km of a marathon. Thanks to a campaign on social networks, she raised 1,500 euros for the Ambulance of Dreams, an association which helps adults with incurable illnesses to make a wish come true. “When you commit to such a cause, you can’t back down,” says the young woman. In difficult times, I thought about my commitment and it gave me immense strength. »

In a world affected by the environmental crisis and societal divisions, solidarity challenges light up a glimmer of optimism. Some athletes are mobilizing to raise awareness about protecting the planet in a positive way. Adventurer Rémi Camus, 40, has made it the driving force of his career since he took stock of drought and marine pollution during his expeditions.

A trainer in survival techniques, he organizes high-profile actions, such as a descent of the Rhône by canoe in the fall of 2025. Accompanied by scientists and videographers, he took around a hundred water samples over 800 km. Its goal: to track down PFAS, these substances from petrochemicals which contaminate the environment and threaten our health.

“PFAS are invisible, so the general public has little interest in them,” judges Rémi Camus. It was necessary to highlight the problem through a strong story, a human adventure. » To attest to the rigor of the project, the explorer has established a partnership with a laboratory.

Because the quest for success gives rise to excesses. Some athletes crudely brandish a cause to improve their image and gain popularity. Ambivalent, this proliferation of challenges pushes us to surpass ourselves to protect the most vulnerable. It remains to keep the compass of the heart.