Robert Membré, 63, ran for more than one year starting in Lyon to reach Beijing, China.
Without assistance, bringing only a trolley to carry his equipment, Robert Membré has accomplished an amazing goal: to reach the capital of China for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Robert Membré began running 30 years ago, when he decided to quit smoking. He became a specialist competing in both marathons and triathlons and decided at the end of the 1990s to pay tribute to the Olympics, a "symbol of peace" in his eyes. In 2000, he travelled to Sydney, Australia from northern Thailand, and four years later he embarked on another journey from Lyon to Athens and back, also for the Olympic Games.
This time, his race against time has lasted over a year, at the pace of 40 km per day.
Robert Membré who left Saint-Genis-Laval (France) on July 21, 2007 has travelled more than 14,000 kilometers at 40 km per day by "speed walking." He passed through a dozen countries including Italy, Serbia, Macedonia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and China before arriving in early March.
In his trolley, he placed a tent, a sleeping bag, a knife, a flashlight, a phone, some clothes and ... 14 pairs of shoes.
During his trip, Robert Membré has come across many difficult situations, sometimes sleeping in a tent during cold weather in China or being stopped at a border post in Azerbaijan, after which he was forced to return to France before the end of 2007 and start his trip again.
Robert Membré has finally achieved its ultimate goal: to arrive at the Olympic stadium on August 8, 2008!
"This Lyon-Beijing journey is my greatest adventure," he said.
Veolia Water is pleased to be able to contribute to this great human adventure. To reward his efforts, Veolia Water has decided to invite Robert to enjoy a day at the Olympic events.