Swimming through Adversity (ARTE Regards)

Swimming through Adversity

by Eva Deroualle and Alix François Meier
ARTE Regards, 32 min. 2021

Amputated from both arms and legs at the age of six following bacterial meningitis, Théo Curin is nonetheless a top-level swimmer.

At just 16, he became European vice-champion in the 200-meter freestyle. In 2021, he is preparing for his greatest challenge: to swim 120 km, at an altitude of 3,800 meters, in water at 9°C, being the first to cross the world's highest lake, Titicaca, between Peru and Bolivia. To do this, he underwent survival training with his two co-swimmers, silver medallist Malia Metella and adventurer Mathieu Wietvoet. Supervised by a polar explorer and a swimming expert, their training included a night in a bivouac in an icy mountain lake at an altitude of 2,000 meters.

Directors: Eva Deroualle, Alix François Meier

Co-production: Apollofilm and ARTE G.E.I.E.

ARTE replay link (available until 20/02/2026)

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