ABOUT

Sport has many benefits. Not only on a health level, but also on an emotional and mental level. Decathlon’s purpose is to make sport and its benefits accessible to all. Even when it seems impossible. Instead of telling people sport changes lives, we actually changed the life of six people through sport. And showed the entire country - and judicial system how virtual sport can become a tool for reintegration. In a maximum security prison in Oudenaarde, Belgium, we launched the first eCycling team for prisoners. Decathlon provided them with clothes and equipment (bikes, trainers, …) to cycle on Zwift, a virtual world where 3 million cyclists race and ride together. Enabling them to ride with people from the outside world for the first time. As anonymous athletes instead of being labeled a prisoner or outcast. The project is ongoing, permanently reconnecting them with society from behind bars. We also told the story of how the project changed their lives. In a podcast, we documented how riding online with others changed their life one pedal stroke at a time. Journalists even interviewed the prisoners during a ride on Zwift. In may 2020, famous triathlete John McAvoy, a former bankrobber, organised a group ride on Zwift, inviting thousands of Zwifters to ride together with the prisoners. In September 21, The Breakaway team challenged a team of lawyers, judges and the Minister of Justice for a race: The Breakaway vs. Team Justice. It was streamed live on Decathlon’s facebook channel. It was discussed by all mainstream media in Belgium, and the international cycling press. In combination with the social reach by Decathlon, this reached over 15 million people and earned around 1.3 million in free media attention. After racing them live on Facebook on September 14, the Minister of Justice decided to expand the Breakaway project to all Belgian prisons. (as announced live at the end of the livestream on September 14). Using eCycling as a tool for reintegration.