Patricio Carty, Knight of the National Order of Merit

“This is not something I have achieved on my own. It is a team effort, undertaken first and foremost for our young people.” It was with these unifying words, in a poignant and humble speech, that Patricio Carty received his award at the ‘Chez Clément’ restaurant in Sandy Ground, to the applause of his colleagues and the many officials who had come to show their appreciation. 
Born in 1976 in Saint Martin, Patricio Carty grew up developing a strong attachment to his island. From a very young age, his sporting talents were recognised: at the age of 7, he stood out in football (Junior Stars) and basketball (Boys N’Yard) and joined Saint Martin’s youth squad. At the age of 20, he joined the town hall as a technical officer in the sports department and continued in this role when the territory became an overseas collectivity in 2007. However, in 2005, his sporting career came to an abrupt halt when multiple fractures to his leg forced him out of competition. Aged 29, his perseverance enabled him to take a different path – that of cycling – where, once again, he quickly made a name for himself. He went on to represent Saint Martin throughout the Caribbean, notably at the Overseas Departments Championship. Recognisable by his famous red jersey, he was nicknamed ‘Blade the Red Jet’ and became an iconic figure in Saint Martin’s sporting scene.
In 2014, concerned about the future of young people in the Sandy Ground neighbourhood, he decided to focus on training them in cycling. Two years later, when he co-founded the Vélo-club, he did not yet realise the significance this place would take on over time: a veritable breeding ground for talent and activities, it enables boys and girls from Sandy Ground aged between 6 and 17 to have access to cycling gear and equipment, and to practise whilst benefiting from his invaluable advice.
Under his guidance, many young people from priority neighbourhoods were able to excel and travel at the same time – from Saint Martin to mainland France, via Guadeloupe and Anguilla – and discover new prospects for the future. Patricio Carty’s commitment to these young people extends beyond sport: in his spare time, he organises educational and recreational outings for the children, such as exploring the forests and rivers of Guadeloupe, thereby inspiring them with dreams and ambition. As the Prefect noted in his address, the National Order of Merit, established by General de Gaulle in 1963, honours those who, through their commitment and outstanding service, contribute to the moral, intellectual and cultural greatness of the nation: “You are a man who has made sport not only a passion, but also a powerful tool for social cohesion.”