VIP List

Noémie ALLABERT

Double world champion

POWER LIFTING

Awards:

Double World Champion
Triple European Champion
Four-time French Champion

Biography:

Born on May 15, 1990 in Troyes, Noémie is a member of the French athletic strength team, a sport she has been practicing since 2017. This discipline is a weight category strength sport whose goal is to lift the heaviest load possible on the three movements that are the squat, bench press and deadlift. Double world champion and triple European champion, she is currently preparing for the European Championships that will take place in Poland on December 1st.

Arthur BAUCHET

Triple Paralympic champion

PARA ALPINE SKIING

Awards:

7 times World Champion
3 times Paralympic Champion
4 times Paralympic Vice Champion;
12 crystal globes
14 times French Champion
40 World Cup victories

Biography:

Born in Saint-Tropez, Arthur Bauchet grew up in Grimaud (Var), until the age of 15. Settled since 2016 in Briançon, he is a member of the Briançon Ski Club. He has been skiing since the age of 5, despite his illness, a spastic paraparesis.

In January 2017, he participated in his first world championships where he won 3 medals including 2 titles at only 16 years old.
In 2018, for his first participation in the Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, the little blonde head made a big splash. He won four silver medals! In 2022, he came back even stronger at the Beijing Paralympics, winning 3 gold medals and 1 silver medal.

Today Arthur pursues his project with already the objective of the Paralympic Games of Milan-Cortina in 2026, and in the shorter term, the world championships in January 2023.

Marie BOCHET

Multiple Paralympic champion

PARA ALPINE SKIING

Biography:

Born with a malformation of the left forearm (agenesis) in 1994, Marie Bochet put on her skis for the first time in kindergarten and then followed in her brother's footsteps at the Saisies sports club. At the age of 11, the Savoyard competed in her first French championships. At 15, Marie was the first disabled athlete to join the FFS high level ski section. Her rise was spectacular. For her first Paralympic Games at the age of 16, in 2010 in Vancouver, Marie reached the foot of the podium in the slalom and super combined (standing category). Marie returned to France with a fixed idea: to train, to train again and again, to always progress, to go for gold at the next Games. The following year, she took her revenge and won two World Champion titles at only 17 years old!

After winning seven titles at the World Championships in 2011 and 2013, Marie competed in the Paralympic Games in Sochi in 2014: she managed to win 4 gold medals out of a possible 5, a feat she repeated 4 years later at the 2018 Paralympic Games while being the flag bearer for the French Delegation. In 2022, she won the silver medal (super G) for her last games in Beijing. The most successful French athlete of the Paralympic Winter Games, Marie holds 8 Paralympic championship titles, 21 World Championship titles since 2011 (including 3 Grand Slams), more than 100 World Cup victories, 8 large globes, and 21 small globes.

Alongside her sporting career, Marie is committed and wishes to "share and pass on what sport has given her". Ranked in 2019 among the 40 most influential French women (Forbes 2019), muse of L'Oréal, godmother of the association "Pour que Lana gravisse sa montagne" (an association intended to collect funds for disabled children), she multiplies actions and is invested for sport and disability. Marie has been a member of the Paris 2024 Athletes Commission since 2018 and was also in the International Paralympic Committee's Athletes Commission (2018 - 2022). Marie holds a bachelor's degree in economics (2003) and is currently studying at Sciences Po Paris.

Kilian BRON

Professional Mountain Biker / Film Director

ENDURO FREERIDE MOUTAIN BIKER

Awards:

3 time winner of the Mountain Of Hell
2 time 2nd position in the Megavalanche

Biography:

French mountain biking phenom Kilian Bron tempts fate on the regular as he skirts hair-raising ridges and induces acrophobia with his antics. Bron is a professional enduro/freeride mountain biker for the Intense Mavic Collective and acts as media manager for his own team and some partners. Bron spends his seasons focusing on media projects and enduro-downhill races. His current work includes the webseries "MISSION," which is focused on riding atypical spots all over the world. Completely disregarding the cost of minor mistakes in line choice, Bron builds tension as he navigates tight stairways and switchbacks, only allowing relief when he hits open terrain once again. He is the director and subject of Mission Dolomites (Mountainfilm 2019).

Anne-Cécile CIOFANI

Olympic medallist and best player of the world

RUGBY

Awards:

Vice world champion in 2018 in San Fransisco
Silver medal at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2021
Rugby World Player of the Year 2021
Silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Souleymane CISSOKHO

Olympic medalist, french champion and WBA Intercontinental champion

BOXING

Awards:

Olympic boxing record (over 150 fights):
5 times French champion
World University Champion
Gold medallist at the Francophonie Games

Pro Boxing (15 fights, undefeated, ranked #5 in the world):
French Champion
WBA Intercontinental Champion

Distinctions :
Chevalier National de l'ordre du mérite
Olivier Schwarz Award (Most Friendly Sportsman)
Bertrand Destremeau Award (Double sports and student merit)

Biography:

Souleymane Cissokho was born on July 4, 1991 in Dakar. He arrived in France at the age of 4. At the age of 14, he started boxing in Paris in the 9th arrondissement following a group of friends. He quickly became a French champion and joined the INSEP in 2008 for a double course (sport and studies). He won several national (Cadet, Junior, Senior) and international titles while continuing his studies. Captain of the French team, he won the Bronze medal at the Olympic Games in RIO in 2016 and allowed the French team to make a historic performance with 6 medals won.

After his Olympic career with more than 150 fights, Souleymane joined the professionals and became French champion, he also shines at the international level by boxing in the most beautiful venues in the world such as New York at Madison Square Garden or in Las Vegas. He is currently undefeated with 15 professional fights and holds the WBA Intercontinental Champion belt, ranked n°5 in the world.

As for his studies, he finished his Master's degree in sports law and economics at the Sorbonne. Committed both in and out of the ring, Souleymane is fully involved in the community with young people in his neighbourhood but also in Africa by setting up training sessions, supporting schools and providing material aid (school supplies, sports equipment, etc.). He also intervenes in hospitals in order to break the daily life of sick children while sharing with them adapted sports sessions.

Guillaume CIZERON

Olympic champion

ICE SKATING

Awards:

With Gabriella Papadakis:
Olympic Champions
5 times World Champions
5 times European Champions
7 times Champions of France

Biography:

Gabriella and Guillaume started skating together at the age of 9. They made their debut at the senior international level in 2013. In the summer of 2014, they moved to Montreal, Canada with their coach Romain Haguenauer, and qualify for their first ISU Grand Prix Final and become French Champions for the first time.

In 2015, they win their first European and World Championship titles. The first of a long series. They are five-time world champions (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2022), five-time European champions (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).

At the Pyeongchang Games in 2018, despite a world record and a new personal best on the free program, they become Olympic vice-champions. 4 years later, at the 2022 Winter Olympics, they obtain the long-awaited gold ahead of the Russians Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov and the Americans Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue.

In Montpellier, a few weeks later, they won the title of world champions for the 5th time, breaking their own world records.

Laura CLERGUE

PADEL

Biography:

Engineer in Aix en Provence, Laura Clergue discovered padel in 2013. It was immediately love at first sight between the player and this sport, which was still unknown at that time in France.

In 2017, she was double French champion and decided to go and improve her skills in Spain. She therefore decided to interrupt her career as an engineer to devote herself fully to her passion in Spain. She is the first French woman to become a professional in this sport!

This daring choice paid off, as soon as she arrived, she achieved the best progression in the international circuit rankings and reached the world top 50. She also won the European Championship title with the French team in 2019.

In 2020, she decided to return to France, to pass on her passion in her native country while continuing to perform on the French circuit. But Laura keeps on evolving as you can now find her on the courts but also on the small screen. Canal+ decided to trust her and she became the first Padel consultant. This allows her to continue to share her knowledge with as many people as possible!

Robert COLLE

Member of the monegasque olympic committee

Biography:

Member of the Board of Directors of the Monegasque Ski Federation for about thirty years, Robert Colle was President from 1998 to 2005. He was part of the Monegasque Olympic Committee delegation at the Salt Lake City and Turin Olympic Games. Since 2005 he has been Vice-President of the Federation.

Robert Colle was Secretary General of the Ministry of State and then Secretary General of the Government of the Principality of Monaco from 2005 to February 2022.

Ugo CROUSILLAT

Vice champion du monde

WATERPOLO

Biography:

31 years old and born in Marseille. Ugo Crousillat is captain of the Cercle des nageurs of Marseille and of the French team. He hqs trained at CN Marseille and in the French team since the age of 18.

From 2013 to 2015 he decided to play for the Montenegrin national team and were world champions. In 2016 they were qualified for the Rio Olympics with the French team for the first time in 25 years.

At club level he also played for Budva (Montenegro) where they were champions, Brescia (Italy), Szolnok (Hungary) where they won the Champions League, the championship, the Cup and the SuperCup, Aix en Provence where they were French champions and finally Marseille of course where he won 8 championship titles and 7 French cups.

Michel DISDIER

French NASCAR pilot

MOTORSPORT

Biography:

Steadily and with a steely determination, Michel Disdier has established himself in the world of NASCAR. After climbing the ladder in the Canadian Tire Series and the ARCA series, the Nice born driver competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Daytona in 2014 & 2016 with a top 10 finish ! He now feels he is ready to jump to the top step.

In January 2014, Michel Disdier was the closest he ever came to living his dream when he was accepted to take part in the Camping World Truck Series' Preseason Thunder test at Daytona in the No. 07 of SS-Green Light Racing, and the season opening race, the NextEra
Energy Resources 250.

"The NASCAR authorities have welcomed us and are keen to get a French driver in the series. We now have to set up a long term program to follow thru and deliver but for this we need commercial partners who will agree to share this wonderful adventure with us." #joinourdream

In 2013, Michel became the only French driver to set the best time during the last practice session before a NASCAR sanctioned
race. It was the first time he had been allowed to take part.
He finished this first race in 11th place (out of 43 drivers), 35 years after the last French entry in NASCAR at the Daytona
International Speedway.

Ladji DOUCOURE

Double world champion in 110m hurdles and 4×100 meters relay

ATHLETICS

Awards:

Double World Champion
Double European Indoor Champion
8 times French Champion

Coralie DUCHER

European vice champion

FOOTBALL

Awards:

Triple French Champion (OL)
Vice champion of Europe

Biography:

French soccer player, born on September 11, 1986 in Roanne (Loire). At the age of 17, she was called to the French U17 team to participate in the European Championship in Sweden and then in the European Youth Olympic Festival in Paris where her team won the bronze medal.

After a season in Division 3, she joined the professional Olympique Lyonnais team the following season, playing her first game in 2004. She was selected for the French national team with the U19s and played in the final of the European Championship in 2005 in Hungary, then in the U20 World Cup in Russia.

She returned to the women's D1 during the 2008/2009 season by winning the French challenge, her first title, then will be added 3 Champion titles and a title of vice-champion of Europe in 2010.
In 2010 she joined FC Bale in Switzerland and then signed in 2011 with Fortuna Hjorring in Denmark.

She then enriches her track record with a title of vice-champion of the Elite Divisioner (Danish Championship) and vice-champion of the SYDBANK KVINDEPOKALEN (the Danish Cup).

After a year of rehabilitation, following post-operation complications, she decided to stop her career and focus on her health. To this day, she continues to live her passion as a consultant on OL Play and occasionally on Eurosport.

Pierre DURAND

Olympic, world and european champion

HORSE RIDING

Awards:

Olympic champion
Show Jumping World Champion
European Show Jumping Champion
French show jumping champion

Biography:

Pierre Durand had his first real encounter with a horse at the age of 10. Her name was Gitane. It was love at first sight and the beginning of a double passion that has never left him, that of horses and that of the sport of riding. Since then, his life has been punctuated by his favourite companions.

As his family had no equestrian traditions, it was through his first instructor that he acquired the basics of riding, which were then enriched mainly through observation, reading and discussions between riders. At an early stage, he practiced the full equestrian competition, which allowed him to approach the 3 Olympic disciplines. It was after a serious fall at the age of twelve that his parents chose the less dangerous discipline of show jumping for him.

Very early on, he dreamed of being an Olympic champion like Pierre Jonquères d'Oriola. And this childhood dream was transformed, with a candid obsession that a little black horse out of nowhere allowed him to realise, his name was Jappeloup.

Laurence FISCHER

Triple world champion

KARATE

Awards:

Triple world champion
7 times European champion
11 times French champion

Biography:

Laurence Fischer is a former high level karateka. During her fifteen year career she won three world championships and seven European championships as well as numerous international competitions.

She has an MBA from the ESSEC business school. She has been involved in Sport for Development for over 20 years. Her international career spanned from 1995 to 2006. She won her first World title in 1998 and her first European title in 1999. During her sports career, she worked for the Sports Department of the city of Marseille, the ENGIE Foundation and Canal+.

In 2006, the last year of her studies and her international career, she won all the major competitions : the Paris Open Premier League, the French Championship, the European Championship and the World Championship.

Laurence is the founder and former President of the association Fight for Dignity, created in March 2017. Its objective is to propose, as part of a care path, a physical activity based on karate accessible and adapted to the trauma related to violence ce for women and young girls (in DRCongo and France). She was appointed Ambassador for Sport at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in July 2019.

Anne-Laure FLORENTIN

Triple european champion

KARATE

Awards:

3x European Champion
Bronze medal at the World Games
Winner of the Dubai & Paris International OpenS
3x French champion

Biography:

Originally from the south of France (Var), Anne-Laure started karate at the age of 4 to follow in the footsteps of her two older brothers and to be able to share it with them. A beautiful 26 year adventure in the world of Karate.

Starting with small competitions, Anne-Laure began to win competitions at departmental, regional and national level. At the age of 15 she had the opportunity to join the CREPS of Talence (33), where she spent 3 years in sport study. There she discovered her taste for training and work. With the help of her trainers, she then joined the CREPS of IDF where she developed her taste for winning and "never giving up".

Thanks to the people who have always supported and accompanied her (coach, family, spouse, friends) she won her first European championship title in 2016. That same year she learned that karate would be present at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for the first time. She obtained a 2nd European championship title and then a 3rd. Following the COVID, the 2020 Olympic Games did not take place, it is a dream that ends.

In November 2020 she learnt that she had contracted myocarditis, which forced her to make a tough decision to end her sporting career. She bounced back with a reconversion as a "women's plan" project manager within the French Karate Federation and then joined the Publicis sport teams as a Marketing Project Manager.

Francesco FRIEDRICH

Multiple olympic and world champion

BOBSLEIGH

Awards:

4 times Olympic Champion
13 times World Champion
14 Crystal Globes
102 podiums (2-person and 4-person bobsleigh)
1 podium in mixed team

Biography:

Francesco Friedrich was born on May 2nd, 1990 in the small town of Pirna in Saxony, Germany. He works for the German Federal Police and is married and father of two young boys

Francesco´s elder brother David, originally a German hurdle sprinter, in 2004 was selects as a Bobsleigh athlete. In 2006 Francesco followed his footsteps and slowly worked his way up. In 2008 Francesco was selected into the German team. In the same year Francesco at the World Championships in Altenberg was driving the pre-race track bob looking up to the great André Lange, not knowing that 12 years later he would overtake André. Francesco not only won the World Championship on the Altenberg track but also by doing so became record holder with the most World titles in Bobsleigh, ever. The tally has since risen to 13 titles.

It was in 2008 that he reached this dominant position. The 2014 Sochi Olympics marked the low point of his career. Francesco turned his frustration into energy and an even stronger focus improving in even the smallest of details being it athletics, technical, mechanical or also in regeneration or transportation. This resulted in a so far unseen career with 4 Olympic Gold Medals, 13 times overall World Cup wins and overall more than 100 podiums.

Since 2017 Francesco and his team are unbeaten at either Olympic Games or World Championships. It is fair to expect that there is more to come in the future.

Laura GEORGES

Former football player / Secretary General of the French Football Federation

FOOTBALL

Biography:

Laura Georges is an ex-international football player (188 caps with French National Team) who is actually Secretary General of the French Football Federation (FFF). As a player, Laura Georges has one of the greatest record in French Football. She has won 2 Champions Leagues, 6 national titles and 3 national cups and she was semi-finalist of the 2011 Women's World Cup.

During her career she played for the following clubs Paris SG, Olympique Lyonnais and FC Bayern Munich. She also studied at the prestigious university of Boston College where she used to play during her 3 years, for the Boston College Eagles in NCAA. Since 2017 she is supporting Noël Le Graët, President of the FFF, as Secretary General, particularly in charge of the development of women's refereeing plan.

Today, she is currently collaborating with the international relations department. Convinced that thanks to football we all win by sharing our best practices and empower those who need it the most. Fully engaged in the development and the promotion of women's football, she has been ambassador of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 in France. She is currently a UEFA ambassador and FIFA Legends: participating to ethics programs and solidarity projects to share my experience with the youth. Laura is also a commentator for the women national team and a pundit for international broadcaster like DAZN and BBC.

Karim GHAJJI

15-time world champion

KICK-BOXING

Awards:

Double Bellator World Champion
15 times World Kickboxing Champion

Biography:

Karim Ghajji was born on January 16, 1981 in Colombes, French of Moroccan origin, high level fighter, dancer choreographer, actor and stuntman. In 1998, began with karate for 15 years, until obtaining the 2nd Dan black belt and became an undisputed champion in the Karate contact competition, with 40 fights 40 victories 35 KOs. In parallel, he practiced Breakdance and was selected in the French team. He participated and won the championship of France, Europe and the World Cup at the Zenith of Paris in 2001 with the teams "Connection" and "Fantastik Armada".

He is the founder and president of the Fantastik armada association which offers foot fist, Breakdance, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA lessons with more than 400 club members, located in Meaux near Paris. In 2008, at the age of 26, he started kick boxing and very quickly he was selected for the French team to participate in international meetings including the Olympic games of combat sports and won the first gold medal in Beijing in 2010 . He then made his first European championship in K1 (Kickboxing) followed by the show "Link la vie en face" on TF1 and won his fight by KO IN the 5th round. In 2011, he obtained the diploma of contact sports and returned to the French team as a coach and selector of the K1 team. In 2012 he won his first world title, in the I.S.K.A federation, in Châteauroux, against a Swiss fighter.

He is spotted by the Dutch organization "Glory world series" and fought at a high level against the best fighters in the world, in Chicago, Turkey, Italy, Holland and Japan. In 2016, he signed a multi-fight contract with the American organization "Bellator" where he won the first belt in the history of Bellator Kickboxing against an Italian fighter in Milan. In 2020, Karim Ghajji holds 15 titles K1 world champion in 2 different categories : 75g and 78kg. In 2022 he signed with the French organization ARES FIGHTING under the rules of M.M.A (mixed martial art). 2023 the story continues...

Sergii GLADYR

Former professional player

BASKETBALL

Awards:

Bronze and Silver medalist
Champion League
Champion Euro Cup 2020

Biography:

Sergii Gladyr was born on October 17th 1988, in Nikolaev, Ukraine. He started to play basketball at the age of five and started his professional career in his hometown team. From 2006 to 2014 he was a member of the Ukrainian national team, participating in the European championship and the World Cup. He was selected with the 49th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2009 NBA draft. In the same year, he moved to Spain where he signed a three year deal with the Manresa team. While playing for Manresa he became twice, a three-point contest champion. He then spent one year in Fuenlabrada.

After four years in Spain, he moved to the French championship and signed a one year deal with Nanterre where he became the French Cup Champion. After a year he signed with Nancy and then later on, moved as a newcomer at the French National Championship of Monaco and played there for four years. During those four years he became three times, the Leaders Cup Champion, a bronze and silver basketball Champions League medalist and a two time vice Champion of France. In 2020, he won the Euro Cup with AS Monaco basketball.

He now works as an assistant coach with the Monaco basketball team. Since 2010 he has been married to the Olympic Champion Olena Khomrova. They have two wonderful kids.

Olena GLADYR KHOMROVA

Olympic, world and European champion

FENCING

Awards:

Olympic Champion (2008)
World Champion (2009)
2 time European Champion (2009, 2010)
3 time silver medalist of World Championships (2007, 2010, 2011)

Biography:

Olena Khomrova (Gladyr) Was born May 16, 1987 in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. At the age of 10 she went to the first fencing practice In her hometown, when women saber was not even an Olympic discipline. In 2003 she took her first gold medal at the Cadet World Championships in Italy in individual event. At the age of 18 she participated in Senior European championship in Hungary, where their team took a bronze medal.

2007 was a successful year for Olena. She took the bronze medal in the individual event and silver in team at the European championship. The same year, the silver medal in a team event at the World Championship. Year 2008 was even better, in Kyiv Ukraine, she won silver medal with her team at the World Championship prior to the glorious victory at the Olympic Games in Beijing in a team event. 2008 was only the beginning. In 2009, she won the title of World and European Champion in a team events. The following year in 2010, she was European Champion in a team. She took the silver in a team and bronze in an individual event at the World Championship in Paris. 2011 she obtains the silver in the World and European Championships. In 2012, she is a silver medalist of the European championship. From 2003 to 2012

Olena was proudly defending colors of the Ukrainian national team. She is married with an ex basketball player and have two wonderful kids.

Emilie GOMIS

Vice Olympic Champion and Paris 2024 Ambassador

BASKETBALL

Biography:

Emilie Gomis made history with the French national team after winning the Olympic basketball title in London. A member of the French team, the young woman is one of the best basketball players of her generation in France and internationally thanks to her participation in the WNBA in New York during the summer of 2006. Her record speaks for itself with nearly 200 selections in the French team, Olympic vice-champion, European champion and French champion. She is also an Ambassador for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Today, as determined as she was on the court, Emilie has prepared her reconversion, with the aim of having a positive impact on the new generation.

A woman of influence on social networks, with 64K followers. Emiliegomis is proving the strength of her commitment off the court by representing high-level athletes on the CNOSF Athletes' Commission. An active supporter of Paris 2024, Emilie Gomis is also preparing for the future with a General Sports Manager course at the University of Limoges. She accompanies the Norwegian basketball federation for the promotion of 3x3 basketball.

This accomplished woman started playing basketball in the streets of her neighbourhood in Normandy, allowing her to assert herself and cultivate her leadership over the years. A passion that she now wishes to pass on and make accessible to all through her association Tous Ego par le Sport.

Marlène HARNOIS

Olympic medalist

TAEKWONDO

Biography:

Champion for Peace and Taekwondo Olympic medalist, Marlene Harnois is one of those people who truly have a positive impact in the world. She was elevated to the rank of Knight of the National Order of Merit by the President of France and she is representing Monaco's Peace and Sport International Organisation, placed under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Originally born in Montreal, Canada, Marlene Harnois, earned an MBA Degree with honours from the International University of Monaco. She followed an incredible journey that led her to the Principality of Monaco. Hers is an inspiring path filled with spectacular sporting and philanthropist achievements.

As a Champion for Peace, she is committed to promote the positive values of sport and contribute to development and peace across the globe, in areas affected by poverty and social instability. Marlene is also two-times European Champion, World University Champion, a World Taekwondo Championship medalist and has reached the world number one ranking.

Driven by the desire to give back to society and inspire youth in the realization of their dreams, in 2014, she founded an NGO in Abidjan to contribute to the development of sport and education in West Africa. She then mentored two young taekwondo prodigies on their Olympic journey and highly contributed to the historical victories of Ivory Coast at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, when Cheick Cissé won the first Olympic gold medal and Ruth Gbagbi became the first women Olympic medalist. Together, they have since inaugurated social libraries to promote education and support literacy class, in addition to leading field actions to further develop sport across the country.

Following this success, she realized the positive impact sport could have on an entire nation by uniting its populations, inspiring younger generations and achieving sustainable goals. Therefore, she launched, in 2017, the Caravan for Peace in partnership with Peace and Sport, to support local sustainable initiatives in emerging countries, such as inaugurating water fountains near sport fields.

In 2018, during the celebration of the International Day for Philosophy at the UNESCO, she was announced as the Ambassador of the International center for youth philosophy "PhiloJeunes".

She is also a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, the European Taekwondo Union, and board member of the French Olympian Association.

Race IMBODEN

World champion

FENCING

Biography:

Race Imboden is an American foilist. He made his debut competing internationally at the age of 16, winning a bronze medal at the 2010 World Fencing Championships. Since then, he has won over 50 medals in a team and in individual competitions. Race was the first American to win the FIE Fencing World Cup and led the U.S. team to a historic first-ever world championship title. In 2012 he competed in his first Olympic Games in London and won team bronze in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020.

Koumba LARROQUE

World vice-champion and european champion

WRESTLING

Awards:

Vice World Champion
European Champion
Military World Champion
2 times Under 23 World Champion
Under 23 European Champion
2 times Junior World Champion
2 times European Junior Champion
Cadet World Champion
Cadet European Champion

Biography:

Koumba Larroque is a French wrestler. At only 22 years of age, her career has taken off since the youth categories.

Koumba started wrestling at the age of 9. Full of energy, she quickly developed a passion for the game of opposition. Her trainers immediately recognised her agility for combat sports. In the cadet, junior and under 23 categories, the wrestler won a series of European and world championship titles. Very precocious and eager to rub shoulders with the world's top wrestlers, she will even be upgraded to the elite category for the next competitions. At only 20 years old, she became European vice-champion and world vice-champion. She then won the European championship title in 2021, and then won a beautiful bronze medal at the world championship in September 2022.

Stéphane LE GOFF

Grand reporter

Biography:

Stephane Le Goff has a postgraduate degree in political science and has a passion for sports. He was a Senior Reporter for Canal + for over 30 years, from 1989 to 2018. An enthusiastic sportsman, he has made it his mission to highlight and counteract the preconceived ideas regarding multiple sports disciplines. He has made about fifty documentaries, some of which have received awards. Stéphane le Goff has notably received two Micro D'or for the best documentary. His film "Anger within", on the life of Jonah Lomu, the All Blacks' iconic player, was used by World Rugby to promote rugby around the world. He was also an award winner at the 2019 Monaco SPORTEL.

A respected reporter, he has covered a dozen Olympic Games, but also a dozen World Cups in many sports (rugby, football, skiing...), the Copa America and the US Open. Stephane Le Goff is now a volunteer on the boards of several sports associations.

Tess LEDEUX

Olympic Vice-champion

FREESTYLE SKIING

Awards:

2 times World Champion (Slopestyle and Big Air)
Olympic Vice-Champion at the Beijing Olympics
4 times winner of the X Games

Biography:

Tess Ledeux is a true prodigy of freestyle skiing. At only 20, she is silver medalist at the last Beijing winter Olympics, two times World Champion (Big Air and Slopestyle) and 4 times gold medalist at the X Games. in 2017, by winning the Slopestyle contest, she became the youngest World Champion and made her mark on history, at only 15 years old.

Tess Ledeux is not satisfied with winning competitions, she is pushing the limits of her sport, by doing always new tricks, combining creativity, amplitude and technicity. Last winter, she became the first woman in history to do a Double Cork 1620°, 4 and half rotations, while passing 2 times the head upside down, with a reception in switch. This previously unseen trick, enabled her to win the X Games and the silver medal at the Olympic Games. Tess is confiding in the documentary My Premiere, about all the physical and technical work in advance of attempting such a trick, as well as the mental preparation to overcome her fears and doubts.

The young skier of La Plagne will be among the unmissable athletes to follow this winter, with the ambition to attempt always new tricks, and to become 3 times World Champion, in February, in Georgia.

Enzo LEFORT

Olympic, world and european champion

FENCING

Awards:

Olympic Champion
Olympic Vice-Champion
Bronze medal at the Europes
3 times World Champion
4 times European Champion
4 times French Senior Champion

Biography:

Enzo Lefort started fencing at the age of 5 in Basse-Terre in Guadeloupe at the same time that Laura Flessel won the Olympic Games in 1996. He quickly progressed in becoming several times champion of Guadeloupe before leaving for France to the hope pole of Châtenay-Malabry. After a quick passage during the 2009-2010 season at the Wattignies hope centre, he joined the INSEP in 2010, which allowed him to enter the big league. In 2012, Enzo Lefort is Champion of France, individually and as a team, as well as European vice-champion in a team and naturally got selected for the London Olympic Games.

In 2013, he came 3rd at the World Team Championships in Budapest. In 2016, he places himself four times on the podium in the eight events of the season, 1st in the IPC, 2nd in St Petersburg and Venice and 3rd in Havana. He finished this year 2nd in the world ranking and World Team Champion. In 2015, he finished 3rd in the World Cup in Tokyo and Paris and the title of European Champion in a team in Montreux. He won the silver medal for the foil event as a team, at the 2016 Summer Olympics. At the 2019 World Fencing Championships, Lefort won his first individual world title. At the 2020 Olympic Games, he finished 5th individually and won the team title with Erwan Le Péchoux, Julien Mertine and Maxime Pauty.

In 2022 he became individual world champion for the second time in a row. In parallel to his sporting career, he is also a photographer and is the author of 3 photographic books "Behind the mask", "off-piste" and "Olympic backstage".

Eliaquim MANGALA

Peace Champion for peace and sport - France

FOOTBALL

Awards:

European runner-up 2016 — French national team
English Champion 2018 — Manchester City
Belgian Champion 2009 — Standard de Liège
Portuguese Champion 2012 and 2013 — FC Porto

Biography:

Eliaquim Mangala is a 31-year-old French international footballer. He is a finalist at the Euro Championship with the French national team, where he plays as a defender.

Born in France, Eliaquim grew up in Belgium where he took his first steps on a football field. Immediately gifted with a football, he headed for the Belgian training centres. At the age of 18, while still a youngster, he will gradually earn his place in the professional team. In 2011, Eliaquim joined FC Porto and became Champion of Portgual. He then moved to the Premiere League and became a key player for Manchester City. In 2018, he won the England league title, and was defeated by Real Madrid in the semi-final of the Champions League. A year later, with strong european experiences, the footballer joined FC Valencia to compete for the Spanish league.

Distinguished by his work with Pep Guardiola, he developed a mindset and vision of the game that did not go unnoticed by the french team. After three years in the French Espoir team, it is in 2013 at only 22 years old, that he is called for the first time by Didier Deschamps. This was followed by a selection for the 2014 World Cup (defeat in the quarter-finals), and the Euro 2016, where the blues shine up to the final, and then defeated by Portugal.

Away from the footballing spotlight, Eliaquim shares other passions. He likes yoga and golf, and enjoys taking advantage of what nature has to offer. He is a passionate fan of the orange ball and a big NBA fan.

Florence MASNADA

Triple bronze medalist at the olympic games and the world championships

ALPINE SKIING

Biography:

A sportswoman before being a skier, Florence Masnada has always chosen an unusual route. She is organised when it comes to combining high-level sport with her studies, energetic and willing at the start of a sporting competition, generous when sharing with sick children from her "étoiles des neiges" association and passionate when consulting for companies.
Twice an Olympic medallist, she is also the only Frenchwoman to have won the combined world cup in 1991.
Today, she remains close to the world of skiing as a consultant for Eurosport and creator of the podcast "Belle trace", where she meets the greatest French champions. She is also committed to the preservation of the planet with the Waterfamily association.

Malia METELLA

Olympic vice-champion

SWIMMING

Awards:

Olympic vice-champion
World vice-champion
Three times European champion
Twice champion at the Mediterranean Games
Three times French champion

Biography:

Malia Metella, born in 1982, is a former swimmer, who specialises in freestyle sprinting in and butterfly events. She discovered this sport in her native country, Guyana. She quickly developed a taste for surpassing herself and the quest for performance that swimming requires on a daily basis. She was able to breathe a wind of optimism into French swimming. She contributed to the development of French swimming. She joined the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance in September 2000. Her list of achievements gradually grew and the medals began to pile up. She is five times European champion in the small and large pool (2003 - 2004), vice world champion in the 100m freestyle in 2005, vice Olympic champion in the 50m freestyle at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

After 15 years at the highest level, she decided in 2009 to embark on a new adventure. A career with many titles, where there have been ups and downs, but during which there has always been one constant: pleasure! Just like the smile she constantly wears. She returned to an active life, a successful reconversion. She is the founder and partner of two startups: "one in digital sports, Sportall, an application that broadcasts all sports not broadcast on television, and the other is a micro-investment fund, Tremplin Capital, which is intended for entrepreneurs from priority neighbourhoods in Metropolitan France and the Outermers. At the same time, Malia visits young people in schools to talk about the Olympic Games.

In November 2021, the champion will embark on a sporting, human and committed adventure with Théo Curin and Matthieu Witvoet, a crossing of 11 days and 108 km, in total autonomy in a world-famous place, Lake Titicaca. Located at an altitude of 3,815 m, the lake is an ideal setting for this extraordinary adventure. More than a physical challenge, a real challenge, conveying the values of sport and surpassing oneself, this adventure also has a particular environmental and solidarity dimension. "The incredible journey of three extraordinary sportsmen and women in solidarity".

Maxime MONTAGGIONI

Paralympic champion

PARA SNOWBOARDING

Awards:

2017 : bankslalom world champion (BSL)
2017 : Vice world champion in snowboard cross (SBX)
2018 : winner of the SBX + overall crystal globe
2019 : BSL + SBX world champion
2020 : Overall crystal globe winner
2022 : BSL + SBX world champion
2022 : BSL Paralympic Champion

Biography:

After practicing para taekwondo, a discipline in which he won a bronze medal at the 2013 World Championships in Lausanne, Maxime Montaggioni, a motorcycle enthusiast, began his international sports career in 2015. He illustrates himself with his first podium in the World Cup with the French team in March 2016 in the French resort "Les Angles". He won his first World Vice-Champion title in snowboard cross on February 4, 2017 and he doubled the stake by winning this time the World Champion title in banked slalom three days later in Canada. Despite a complicated paralympics in Pyeongchang 2018 (due to an injury), Maxime gave it his all at the Beijing 2022 Games, which allowed him to come home with a nice gold medal.

Hassan N'DAM N'JIKAM

Multiple world champion

BOXING

Awards:

WBA
WBO
WBC SILVER

Biography:

African junior champion in amateur boxing in 2002 and quarter-finalist in the world junior championships the same year, Hassan won the African amateur boxing title in Yaoundé in the middleweight category and only lost in the quarter-finals at the Olympic Games in Athens.

Hassan turned professional in December 2004. He had several fights in France and scored several victories by knockout against strong opponents. In 2010 he became a challenger for the WBA international title and won the title by knocking out Argentinean Omar Gabriel in the 8th round. Following this, he became world champion the same year against avtandil khurtize.In 2012 he became WBO world champion against maxime BURSAk. In 2012 he became WBO world champion against Maxime Bursak. He continued to win until he signed a contract in the United States with the new promoter Michael King of King Sport Worldwide. He is then ranked number 7 in the IBF federation. On 17 December 2016, he became WBA middleweight world champion against Alfonso Blanco with a knockout that was voted as the best of 2016 by ESPN. On 20 May 2017, he won the regular WBA title by beating Japanese Ryoto Murata on points by split decision in Tokyo. As this last victory was very controversial, the WBA ordered a rematch the day after the match after apologising to the Japanese's fans.

In 2018 with Team Ambitious Monaco he defeated England's Martin Murray to win the WBC silver middleweight belt. Hassan Ndam continues his career with his trainer Jean Marc Toesca and wants to make the colours of the principality shine beyond the borders.

Sarah OURAHMOUNE

Olympic vice champion / Advisor to the President of the CNOSF

BOXING

Awards:

French Champion in 1999, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016
3 times European Union Champion in Lille in 2007, in Liverpool in 2008 and in Bulgaria in 2009
Winner of the Montana Belt in 2011, 2012 and 2015
World Champion 2008 in Ningbo (China) and bronze medal at the World Championships in Astana (2016)
Olympic vice-champion at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Biography:

She is the most titled French boxer: 10 times French champion and World champion in 2008, she is a multiple European medalist and will remain the first French boxer of all time to have qualified for an Olympiad.

A tireless woman-orchestrator, Sarah is the mother of 3 children, a graduate of Science Po, a company director (Boxer Inside), a speaker and vice-president of the FFB.

She is committed to the subjects of success and leadership for women and more broadly to equal opportunities. As an advisor to the President of the CNOSF (city policy), she actively promotes women's sports. And as an ambassador for Paris 2024, she intends to do her bit to ensure that these Games are truly inclusive and that "sport for all" goes beyond the stage of doctrine!

Gabriella PAPADAKIS

Olympic champion

ICE SKATING

Awards:

With Guillaume Cizeron:
Olympic Champions
5 times World Champions
5 times European Champions
7 times Champions of France

Biography:

Gabriella and Guillaume started skating together at the age of 9. They made their debut at the senior international level in 2013. In the summer of 2014, they moved to Montreal, Canada with their coach Romain Haguenauer, and qualify for their first ISU Grand Prix Final and become French Champions for the first time.

In 2015, they win their first European and World Championship titles. The first of a long series. They are five-time world champions (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2022), five-time European champions (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).

At the Pyeongchang Games in 2018, despite a world record and a new personal best on the free program, they become Olympic vice-champions. 4 years later, at the 2022 Winter Olympics, they obtain the long-awaited gold ahead of the Russians Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov and the Americans Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue.

In Montpellier, a few weeks later, they won the title of world champions for the 5th time, breaking their own world records.

David PAPOT

Double world champion in the super welter category

BOXING

Awards:

2014 : Winner of the national criterium
2015 : French Tournament
2016 : WBA belt
2017 to 2018 : Triple French Champion
2021 : IBA world title champion
2022 : IBA world title champion

Biography:

David Papot, born in 1991 in Saint-Nazaire is a professional boxer. David is a passionate, hardworking and humble man. He trains 3 to 6 hours a day and has no rest days. He doesn't look for the light and has a good head on his shoulders, his main objective is to know his limits and to know what level he has in the boxing world.

He started boxing at a young age by watching Jean Claude van Dam's films, first in American boxing and then switched to English boxing at the age of 14. Member of the French team, he won several titles and became a professional in 2013. He obtained 3 French championship titles in the super welter category, a continental wba title, and more recently 2 IBA world titles in the super welter category.

His next fight to defend his IBA belt will be at the Zenith in Nantes against Bilel Jkitou, on November 25, 2022 in a meeting organized by his promoter, Mr David Musset.

Vincent PARISI

World champion / Sports consultant and columnist

JU-JITSU FIGHTING SYSTEM

Awards:

4-time European Champion
Champion of France
World Champion

Biography:

Vincent Parisi, world champion of jujitsu fighting system and four times European champion and winner of over 32 international tournaments around the world with 9 world medals, he is the son of Angelo Parisi, the first French Olympic judo champion in heavyweight and flag bearer in Los Angeles in 1984.

Vincent Parisi is now a sports consultant and columnist on the BeIN Sports channel, he commented for 4 years all the international judo competitions. He is also an active coach who gives conferences and team building sessions in companies and also with sports clubs. Like on the BeIN Sports channel, Vincent combines good humor and advice. These chronicles with the French and international stars make people realize that everyone can do sports and find their sport.

With an unusual career, Vincent Parisi starts judo and jujitsu fighting at 21 years old in 1998. Then in 2002 he became European champion in Paris in heavyweight and black belt second in to be a sports educator of judo jujitsu.

All the experience that Vincent acquired through the years at a high level, has allowed him to evolve and adapt to several professional sectors such as television and allowed him to enter the RTL9 channel as a sports consultant and become the first French MMA commentator on television with the program of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for 7 years. Also in the film industry where he is recognized as an actor and stuntman, then as a stuntman adjustor in films such as Taken 3, Transport Reebout and Ares... Vincent is a celebrity coach, physical and mental trainer who diversifies his activities with great kindness, as someone who cares about the well-being of people.

Angelo PARISI

Olympic, european, England and french champion

JUDO

Awards:

1968: English U23 and Junior Champion
1971: England senior champion
1972: Olympic bronze medal for England in Munich
1980: Olympic champion in Moscow, gold in the heavyweight category and silver in all categories for France
1984 -1984: Silver medal at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in the heavyweight category and flag bearer for the French delegation
10 times English Champion
5 European Championship titles for England
6 European Championship titles for France, individual and team

Biography:

Angelo Parisi was born in a small Italian village called Arpino. There was a shortage of work, so he and his parents emigrated to England where he completed his education. At school he started judo in November 1967 at the age of 14. He was spotted by his teacher who integrated him into Budokway, the best judo club in London, where he obtained his black belt. At the age of 16, he became British champion. The English federal authorities selected him for the 1972 Munich Olympics and requested his naturalisation. He won a bronze medal at the age of 19. In 1973 the team was invited to participate in a training camp in Avignon. He becomes then, European champion.

In 1974 he moved to France and settled in Paris where he worked as a technical advisor for the Ministry of Youth and Sports. He then joined the French national team. In 1976, he was not allowed to participate in the Montreal Olympics Games because of the IOC's international rules, which forbid a newly naturalised athlete from competing in international competitions for two years, unless he obtained the agreement of his country of origin. The British refused. It was only in 1980 that he took part under the French banner in the Moscow Olympics where he became the first French Olympic champion.

In 1984 he participated in the Los Angeles Olympics and had the honour of being the flag bearer for the French delegation.

Marie PATOUILLET

Double olympic medalist and world champion

PARA CYCLING

Awards:

2019 :
World Championship (Netherlands): bronze medal 500m DA
French Elite Championship: bronze medal 500m DA
French Handisport Championship: 2 titles of French champion (500m and individual pursuit)

2020 :
World Championship (Canada): 2nd title of vice world champion (500m DA and omnium)

2021:
Paralympic Games Tokyo 2021: 2 bronze medals (pursuit
individual and road race) 4th place in the 500m DA
French Handisport Championship: 2 titles of Champion of France (500m DA and Individual Pursuit)

2022 :
World champion on the road +2 titles of French champion (pursuit & Omnium) + WR on 200 m on track + a title for Champion of France on the road

Biography:

Marie has had an atypical career, without any false notes, in reference to her 12 years of piano lessons at the Conservatory. Today, a medical doctor and a figure in French para-cycling, she was a double medalist in Tokyo on the track, three years after she began the discipline, trained by Grégory Baugé.

It was a birth defect in her left foot and leg, which prevented her from running, that pushed her towards cycling. She has progressed steadily, won several national titles on the track and road, and holds the world record in the 200m. She has just won a rainbow jersey by becoming world champion on the road in August 2022!

The ultimate goal is known to all: Paris 2024!

Michael PAYNE

Former Chief Marketing / Revenue Officer IOC and F1

Biography:

Michael Payne has been at the forefront of the sports marketing industry for over forty years - having led the global marketing effort for the Olympic Movement for two decades, from 1983 to 2004 as the IOC's first ever Marketing and Global Broadcast Rights Director. Nominated as one of the world's most influential marketers by Advertising Age.

On leaving the IOC, Michael founded his own strategic consultancy, Payne Sports Media Strategies, working with many of the world's leading sports groups and companies. For more than a decade, Michael acted as special advisor to F1's former Chairman / CEO Bernie Ecclestone, pioneering the effort to bring F1 to new markets. Following the sale of F1 by CVC to Liberty Media, Michael continued to act as a strategic advisor to CVC Group, most recently brokering their investment in World Volleyball.

Michael continues to advises on major Olympic, F1 and other sports, developing some of the world's largest broadcast and sponsorship deals. Most recently the ground breaking Alibaba - IOC long term partnership deal, and conceived the innovative Joint TOP long term partnership for Coca-Cola & Chinese Dairy giant Mengniu - collectively together valued at over $5billion.

His business book, Olympic Turnaround details the business story of how the Olympic Games stepped back from the brink of bankruptcy to become the world's best known brand - and a multi billion dollar global franchise.

In 2021 Michael released TOON IN! ( www.olympiccartoon.com ) 'the unofficial and entirely unsanctioned Olympic History - a large format coffee table book for charity. The book been critically acclaimed around the world and in 2022 won the prestigious Sunday Times Best Sports Book of the Year Award (Illustrated).

Michael is a regular commentator on sports marketing industry affairs for CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, Financial Times and other media groups around the world

Nathalie PECHALAT

Double european champion and 5-time french champion

ICE SKATING

Awards:

With Fabien BOURZAT:
Bronze medalists at the world championships (2012 and 2014)
Double European Champions (2011 and 2012)
Quintuple Champions of France (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)

Biography:

Nathalie Péchalat was born on December 22, 1983 in Rouen. She discovered skating at the age of 7 and decided to follow a sport-study program. At the age of 12, she joined the French Ice Dance Team and met Fabian Bourzat in 2000, in Lyon. Together, the couple decided to move to Moscow (Russia) in 2008, then to Detroit (USA) in 2011. At the same time, Nathalie continued her studies at EM LYON (business school) and at the Academy of Finance in Moscow.

In 2014, she obtained a Master in Science Business School, and hung up her skates. But she keeps one foot on the ice by organizing training sessions for coaches and by intervening occasionally with young hopefuls. She became a consultant for Eurosport and RMC and gave conferences in companies on the theme of "doubt".

Nathalie was appointed head of mission for the French delegation at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. She was President of the French Ice Sports Federation from 2021 to June 2022.

Gwendal PEIZERAT

Olympic and world Champioc

ICE SKATING

Awards:

Olympic Champion
World Champion

Biography:

Olympic figure skating champion in 2002, Gwendal Peizerat is the first Frenchman to have obtained this title in ice dancing with his partner Marina Anissina.
A two-time European and World Champion, he shone on podiums around the world and won all the stages of the World Cups before appearing in the biggest skating shows and tours in the world. He was also elevated to the rank of Knight of the Order of Merit in 1998 and Knight of the Legion of Honor in 2002 by the President Jacques Chirac.

In parallel with his career as a high-level athlete, Gwendal Peizerat has always followed a university course: first with a master's degree in sports management then in a major business school, dropping out the same year as the Olympic title his diploma at the E.M. Lyon.

In 2004 he created his first company "Soléus" specializing in the control of sports facilities. After a successful merger acquisition in 2008, he created and chaired the iSce S.A. group, which he still manages today.

Bilingual and a popular speaker, he speaks for Eurosport International and very regularly at conferences during seminars and conventions on the theme "Success together". Combining his experience of 32 years of daily work as a couple and that of leader of a team of 4 partners, he was able to respond to requests from companies such as PSA, Areva, SFR business team, Sanofi Aventis, EDF and HSBC in their problems of cohesion and teamwork whether for an audience of technicians, salespeople or managers.

Adventurer he has made several expeditions at very high altitude in the Himalayas and is a "summiter" of Muztagh Ata (7546m) and Ama Dablam (6856m).
He participated in the Koh Lanta survival shows "Le choc des heroes" (TF1) and The Island (M6).

Author, composer and performer Gwendal Peizerat self-produced two albums of French songs "Quand elle me..." in 2018 and "Anticigale" in 2022.
He regularly performs on stage with his musicians.

Estelle PERROSSIER

European champion in 4x400m

ATHLETICS

Awards:

Athletic European Champion (400 m)

Biography:

Estelle Perrossier, trained with a volunteer coach at the Lyon Athletics Club located in the southern suburbs of Lyon. Her specialty is the 400m and the 4x400m relay. Her personal best on the lap is 52 seconds 18. She spent 10 years in the France A athletics team within the French athletics federation and listed Elites on high-level sports ministerial lists. She has had 13 selections in the France A team, being several times a European medalist, world finalist and Olympian.

In 2010, at the age of 20 years old, she gets noticed by her athletics teacher at the faculty of sports, where she pursued her master's degree in Re-athletics, physical and mental preparation. She owes a part of her career to her, who oriented her towards her historical coach Franck Matamba. In 2013, 3 years after her debut, she obtained her first selection for the France A team at the French championships. Team Europe in England at Gateshead. In 2014, she made selections for the European Team Championships in Germany, the World Relay Championships (she ran for the first time with Muriel Hurtis). She finished her season with the title of European Champion in the 4x400m relay in Zurich, Switzerland 4 years after my debut.
In 2015, she finished finalist at the World Championships in Beijing (Pekin) in the PRC. In 2016, she is qualified for the Olympics, but sadly could not participate due to her mother's passing during the games.

In 2017, she is selected for the European Indoor Championships in Belgrade. She moved onto the World Relay Championships in the Bahamas, where she qualified the relay for the World Championships in London at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, where she finished 4th. In 2018, she is on the European Podium again, finishing Vice-Champion of Europe. In 2019, she is qualified for the world relay championships in Yokohama in Japan for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which did not take place due to the health crisis. She finished her season being 3rd at the European Team Championships in Poland.

In 2021, at 31 years of age, after a 10-year career, she decided to end her career, to follow a new project.

Julien PIERRE

Former professional rugby XV / Founder and CEO at Fair Play For Planet

RUGBY

Awards:

French champion with ASM Clermont-Ferrand in 2010
27 selections in the French team
Finalist at the Rugby World Cup in 2011 in New Zealand
Grand Slam of the 6 Nations Tournament in 2010

Biography:

I spent my entire childhood in an extraordinary environment: the animal park in Les Sables d'Olonne, created by my grandfather and then managed by my parents. It was through contact with animals that I learned, very early on, respect for nature and living beings. I have been aware of biodiversity and the challenges of protecting nature since I was very young, and I have transposed the values of respect, high standards and commitment throughout my career as a professional rugby player.

During all these years on the field, I had the chance to play with the greatest players in prestigious clubs such as Stade Rochelais, ASM Clermont-Auvergne or Section Paloise Béarn Pyrénées, to win titles and also to wear the jersey of the French team.

I realised that sports had a special place in our society and that athletes are often examples for future generations and great ambassadors.

By creating Fair Play For Planet, I made the choice to be an actor of change and to take with me all those who share this fight. Our daily involvement is concrete and effective, and helps to change the behaviour of both organisations and individuals. We are putting our collective energy at the service of an essential cause: saving our planet. The Play For Nature Foundation which I created in 2013 is both the genesis and the extension of our action.

Stéphane RICARD

Triple world champion

SNOWSHOEING

Awards:

Triple world champion in snowshoe racing
Winner of the European Cup in 2013
Champion of France
2 times winner of the 6000D (trail of 65 kilometers in La plagne, the oldest race in France)
8th place in the winter triathlon world cup (2020): snowshoeing/speed skating and cross-country skiing.

Biography:

Stéphane Ricard lives in Gap in the Alps and is a school teacher with a passion for outdoor sports (trail running, triathlon, snowshoe running). He is a three-time world champion in snowshoe running (2014/2016/2018) and ambassador of the discipline in France. A former footballer, he has been passionate about endurance since 2006 and likes to vary his efforts and disciplines. He started with triathlon with the mythical Embrun Man then turned to the mountains with trail running and snowshoeing.

For more than ten seasons now, he has been roaming the snowy paths with this sport that is both difficult and magnificent. Snowshoeing allows him to work on his muscular strength, which is essential for the summer trail season. Thanks to this sport, he has been able to travel and discover many mountain ranges. In 2022, he took part in the World Championships in Patagonia.

Kevin ROLLAND

Olympic medalist and world champion

FREESTYLE SKIING

Awards:

World Champion
Olympic medalist at the Sochi Olympics
5 times winner of the X Games

Biography:

Kevin Rolland, true legend of freestyle skiing (World Champion, Olympic medalist in Sochi, 5 times winner of the X Games in Half-Pipe), is as the top level of his sport since more than 15 years now.

Seriously injured in April 2019 while attempting to beat a World record, the recent flag bearer of the Olympic delegation in Beijing, who brilliantly reached the finals of Half-Pipe skiing, has shown an incredible courage to come-back at the top-level of his sport. He relate his incredible story through a deeply moving testimony, in the documentary Resilience, already awarded in various festivals.

At 33 years old, the skier from La Plagne is ready to start a new chapter of his brilliant career, away from sporting competitions, but with always more ambitious projects, in continuation with his quest to make shine and continuously make progress freestyle skiing.

Ian RUSH

FOOTBALL

Awards:

All time leading top goal scorer of Liverpool FC

Biography:

Ian Rush is quite simply one of the finest natural penalty-box predators the game has ever seen. With a phenomenal 346 goals in all competitions, Ian Rush is Liverpool Football Club's all-time leading goalscorer in all competitions. Between 1981-1986, Ian's goals led the club to three league and cup double winning seasons, and a treble which included Liverpool's 4th European Cup. That season alone, Ian scored a staggering 47 goals.

Rush was a crucial part of Liverpool's success throughout the 80s, helping the Reds to five First Division titles. As well as winning the league, Rush picked up five League Cups, three FA Cups, three Charity Shields and scored during a penalty shootout in the 1984 European Cup final to secure the trophy for Joe Fagan's side. Rush ended as Liverpool's top scorer in eight separate seasons, was the PFA Young Player of the Year in 1983, the PFA Players Player in 1984, and won a host of other individual accolades such as the European Golden Boot in the same season. He also remains as the top scorer in the Merseyside Derby with 25 goals, with Everton's Dixie Dean in second place on 19.

In an official poll by Liverpool FC, Ian was voted amongst the top three greatest Liverpool players of all-time.

Although spending most of his years playing at Anfield, his club career also included short spells at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United and Newcastle United. Rush made 73 appearances for Wales at the international level, and with 28 goals between 1980 and 1996, he held the record for most goals scored by a Welsh player until 2018. He is highly acknowledged as one of his generation's best strikers. Since retiring Ian Rush is the current official ambassador of Liverpool FC and the Football Association of Wales.

Philippe SELLA

International french player

RUGBY

Awards:

First historical player to total 100 international selections
Best 3/4 middle of the world

Biography:

Philippe Sella, born 14 February 1962 in Tonneins, is a French international rugby union player, playing as a three-quarter centre. He was the first player to reach 100 caps in 1994, for a total of 111 caps. In 1986, he achieved the feat of scoring a try in every match of the tournament, for a total of 30 tries scored throughout his career. He was also awarded the National Order of Merit and the Legion of Honour.

A two-time French champion with SUAgen between 1981 and 1996, he then played two seasons for Saracens in England. With them, Philippe Sella was runner-up in the English Championship and won the English Cup against Wasps in 1998. During his 111 caps with the French national team, he was the author of a double victory against New Zealand, an exceptional performance. He won 13 V Nations tournaments and 6 Grand Slam victories in 1987. He played in three World Cups and was a finalist against New Zealand in 1987.

A PE teacher, Philippe Sella oversaw press relations for the Lee Cooper company, then co-manager of the Stella Communication company for 25 years. He was also a rugby commentator for Canal + from 1998 to 2011. In parallel to his journalistic activities, he was the manager of the French U20 team from 2008 to 2011. Married, father of two and a grandfather, Philippe Sella is currently president of the SUAgen training centre.

Georges ST-PIERRE

MMA UFC Double World Champion / Member of the UFC Hall of Fame

MMA

Biography:

Born in 1981 in Saint-Isidore, Quebec, Georges St-Pierre started Kyokushin karate at the age of 9 to defend himself against a bully at his school who mistreated him on a daily basis. He then took up boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling and dreamed of becoming an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion.

The man nicknamed "Rush" for his speed began his professional MMA career in 2002. Two-time UFC world champion (26 wins out of 28 fights, including 8 by knockout, 6 by submission, 12 by decision), this extraordinary athlete made a triumphant return to Madison Square Garden in 2017 after a four-year absence for health reasons. He won the UFC middleweight title at the expense of British fighter Michael Bisping, in a category that is not his own.

A multiple "Athlete of the Year" or "Fighter of the Year", GSP is considered the greatest gentleman fighter in the history of ultimate fighting, advocating respect for self and others, the value of discipline, risk, and wisdom.

A committed athlete, he has turned his childhood experience into a strength that led him to create the
"GSP Foundation," to combat bullying among youth and encourage the promotion of physical activity in schools.

In 2019, GSP is officially bowing out at the height of his fame, after a stellar 17-year career. He is now focusing on important projects and his new career as an actor, after some experiences in the film Captain America: The Winter Soldier, or in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.

Ysaora THIBUS

World champion

FENCING

Awards:

World Foil Fencer champion (2022)

Biography:

Ysaora has always balanced her studies with sports. While she started fencing at the age of 7 and entered the "Pôle Espoir" at 17, she also took her baccalaureate and entered the ESCP school in Paris to study business. In 2013, at only 22 years old, she received the Bernard Destremau prize from the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, rewarding a high-level athlete who combined competition with higher education.

In 2016 she qualified for the Olympic Games in Rio and then won a bronze medal in the team competition at the World Championships in Rio in April. In partnership with the American fencer Race Imboden, she chose to train in the United States. She reached her first individual world podium in 2017 in Leipzig with a third place, then in 2018 where she lost in the final. In 2021, she won the silver medal in foil team competition with Anita Blaze, Astrid Guyart and Pauline Ranvier at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo,

In July 2022, at the age of 30, Ysaora won the title of World Fencing Champion in Cairo, becoming the first French foil fencer to win a world championship since 1971. At the same time, she created a platform that highlights the careers of women in sport. Named Essentielle, it questions identity but also the question of equality between men and women in the world of sport. More recently, she evokes the theme of mental health.

Nadia ZIGHEM AKA NÂDIYA

Singer / France athletics champion (800m)

Biography:

Born in Tours in 1973, Nâdiya is a unique popular artist. First, because of her career as a singer, with successful hymns for generations, but also because of her personality, which has moved the hearts of her fans.

French 800m champion in her youth, and therefore promised an ambitious sporting career, Nâdiya nevertheless made the difficult choice to pursue her true dream, music. Fate has proven her right with more than 4 million albums and singles sold, forcing respect and recognition from the music world, with the awarding of a "Victoire de la Musique" in 2005 (best rap / RnB album, "16/9e"), but also prestigious international collaborations (Enrique Iglesias, Kelly Rowland from Destiny Child, Idir...).

While her last single, "Tired of Being Sorry", with Enrique Iglesias, was number 1 in the sales charts for thirteen weeks and sold 500,000 copies, against all odds, the singer decided to take a break. Away from the limelight, but closer to her family, she prepared her comeback in order to give her audience the best. The result of this long process, the single "Unity" released on 1 December 2017 announces an "urban pop" album full of promises for 2019, produced by her own label N4Z Records. Communicative energy, messages carrying positive and salutary values, nothing can betray the singer's very particular artistic style, in an opus that is resolutely modern.