The Embrunman is considered one of the toughest triathlons in the world.

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Jean-Pierre Clatot / AFP

With the association "Les Petites Bosses", the amateur triathlete Florian Messina launched the # 140.6milespourunsourire challenge which includes a prize pool for Eloise, a six-year-old girl with multiple disabilities.

The Toulousain of Audoise origin has decided to transform his preparation for the very tough Embrunman, on August 15, into a solidarity adventure.

Florian Messina is 27 years old, including five as a triathlete.

Nothing illogical that the mechanical engineer in a Toulouse design office is projecting himself towards the mythical IronMan of Embrun, the Grail of the discipline, scheduled for August 15 in the Hautes-Alpes.

But the young man from Lézignan-Corbières (Aude) has decided not to go alone in his quest for excellence, in jersey, by bicycle and on foot.

Thanks to the association “Les Petites Bosses”, he met Eloïse, a little Tarnese born prematurely and with multiple disabilities six years ago, as well as her parents and sister.

“Running, swimming or cycling is lucky, but we are not all in the same situation,” explains Florian Messina.

I wanted to work for an association of disabled children, because it is a cause that touches me a lot.

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Florian Messina and Eloïse.

- Florian Messina

It was through an article that he discovered “Les Petites Bosses” and its founder Laurent Momméja, who provide moral, material and financial support to sick or disabled children and adolescents, as well as their families.

Over the past year, the two men have gradually shaped their project, first around Eloise and young Lucas.

“The idea was for Lucas, then in remission from his cancer, to finish the race with me for the last two or three kilometers,” explains the triathlete.

A competition also in memory of Lucas

But last October, the disease took the little eight-year-old Hérault, a fan of PSG and Kylian Mbappé, who paid tribute to him after his death.

“His mother is training to do part of the course,” says Florian Messina.

For Eloïse, the # 140.6milespourunsourire challenge was launched on social networks, with the opening of a raffle to win jerseys from Stade Toulousain, Castres Olympique or Toulouse cyclist Anthony Pérez.

"A 10 euro ticket gives access to this raffle," explains Florian Messina.

The fund raised will help finance a custom-made changing table as well as fit out the family vehicle for easier access to Eloise's wheelchair.

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Two weeks after the start of the operation, launched in mid-March, the amount acquired already exceeded 3,500 euros, for a target set at 7,500 euros.

Every day, the engineer juggles his schedule in order to squeeze in hours of training in the pool or on the road.

“When I embarked on this sporting challenge, I didn't realize how long it was going to take me.

The # 140.6milespourunsourire challenge represents additional motivation.

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Florian Messina will never be alone, when he will do 3.8 km of swimming this summer, 186 km of cycling with the passage of the Izoard pass (2,362 m) then 42 km on foot, the equivalent of a marathon .

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