Marc, you’ve just returned from the Paralympics in Paris, where you accompanied three wheelchair badminton athletes – Ilaria Renggli, Luca Olgiati, and Cynthia Mathez – as the national coach. How are you feeling?
I’m happy but also exhausted. The past few weeks have been exciting and emotional, crowned by Ilaria Renggli’s bronze medal in the singles tournament – a huge success! However, the days were also long, intense, and filled with impressions and emotions. Now, I need some rest to process these draining weeks.

What was the most memorable moment for you at this year’s Paralympics?
The tremendous support from the fans. Para-badminton is a niche sport, and we usually have very few spectators at competitions – often just family members and a few friends. But at the Paralympics in Paris, there were suddenly over 6,500 enthusiastic fans in the arena, creating an incredible atmosphere. I’ve never experienced anything like it. When I walked into the hall for the opening match, I was overwhelmed. That moment was the most emotional and defining one for me. The media interest was also remarkable, especially given the niche status of our sport.

How do you explain that the fan base in Paris was so much larger?
In my opinion, Paris did an excellent job marketing the Paralympics. It was impressive to see how much the media interest has grown. Outlets like Swiss television covered the Paralympics much more extensively, which greatly expanded the reach. This was immediately noticeable – we received more reactions and support than ever before.

One of your protégés, Ilaria Renggli, won a bronze medal for Switzerland. What does this success mean to you personally, and how does it impact you as a coach?
This success is something very special because, as we learned afterward, Ilaria Renggli’s bronze medal made history: It’s the first badminton medal Switzerland has ever won at the Olympic or Paralympic Games. This makes the achievement truly outstanding. I’m very proud of Ilaria, and this success motivates me greatly as a coach. It proves that even small nations like Switzerland can compete with the larger countries, particularly from Asia. This medal gives us confidence and shows that we can achieve even more – it’s only the beginning!

How did you celebrate this success?
First, there was the official medal ceremony in the stadium. The following day, the Swiss medalists were honored in the garden of the Swiss Embassy in Paris (Maison Suisse). There was a small celebration, including TV interviews and a reception. The highlight was our return to Switzerland: Ilaria Renggli and the other wheelchair badminton athletes were greeted and celebrated by a large group at the train station.

What challenges did you face on the road to this bronze medal in Paris?
The biggest challenge is getting the most out of limited resources in a niche sport. Financially and in terms of personnel, we can’t compete with the big nations. While other countries have a full staff team, I’m the only one employed as a national coach, working at 50%. In large countries, athletes train, eat, and live in performance centers – something we’re far from achieving. However, we’re well supported by the Swiss Wheelchair Sports Association (RSS), allowing us to benefit from the national performance center at the Swiss Paraplegic Center in Nottwil. The limitations I’ve mentioned also have advantages: the coach and athletes work much closer together. We rely on the athletes’ initiative, making our situation both a challenge and an opportunity.

You’re both a SWISS employee and the national wheelchair badminton coach – how do you manage it all?
As the national coach, I work 50%, and at SWISS, I work 60%. The key is prioritizing. Fortunately, I enjoy some flexibility in both roles. When a tournament is coming up, I dedicate myself fully to the national team for a week, and the following week, I focus more on SWISS. Additionally, my athletes, as mentioned earlier, are quite independent. This combination makes my involvement possible.

How does SWISS support your role as a coach? Are there any special arrangements or flexibility?
SWISS supports me in two essential ways. First, by allowing me to work a 60% schedule. Second, SWISS offers me great flexibility in my job and the possibility to work remotely. Without this support, my role as a national coach would hardly be possible. I also receive constant support and understanding from my supervisors and colleagues at SWISS. During the Paralympics in Paris, I received numerous congratulations and even an internal post on our communication platform, Teams. This kind of heartfelt support is truly impressive!

Will we see you again at the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles as the coach of our badminton players?  
I hope so! We will do everything we can to qualify again and represent Switzerland in LA.