VIP List

Masomah ALI ZADA

Jury Member

Biography:

Masomah Ali Zada is an Afghan cyclist who competed for the Refugee Olympic Team at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Born into a persecuted Shiite minority, her family fled Afghanistan to escape Taliban threats, reaching Iran by foot, though they were denied refugee rights there. It was in Iran that she learned to cycle, a skill she further developed after returning to Afghanistan, despite severe societal opposition. After enduring threats, she sought asylum in France in 2017. In 2019, she became the first refugee in France to earn an Olympic scholarship. In 2022, Ali Zada was appointed to the IOC Athletes' Commission, marking a historic first for a refugee athlete. In 2024, she took on the role of Chef de Mission for the Refugee Olympic Team at the Paris 2024 Games.
She was officially announced as a Champion for Peace alongside Peace and Sport in 2025, after participating in the Peace and Sport 2024 Forum as a speaker.

Quentin ANTOGNELLI

Three-time World and Two-Time European Medalist

ROWING

Biography:

Born in Monaco, he learned to row between Menton and Monaco. From an early age, he was drawn to rowing, finding immense pleasure in being on the water. As his training years progressed, between the ages of 14 and 18, he became more and more seriously involved in competition. In 2011, he began representing Monaco internationally, and hasn't stopped since. He has had the honor of being the Principality's rower at the last two Olympics.

Christine ARRON

World and European Champion - European Record Holder

TRACK & FIELD

Awards:

Christine Arron is still among the ten fastest women in history, tied with Julien Alfred, who was crowned Olympic champion in Paris in 2024.

Olympic Games
2004 Athens Bronze 4x100m

World Championships
1997 Athens Bronze -4x100m
1999 Seville Silver4x100m
2003 Paris Gold 4x100 m
2005 Helsinki Bronze 100m-200m

European Championships
1998 Budapest Gold 100m4*100M
2010 Barcelona -Silver4*100m

French Championships
French champion in the 100m in 2000-2003-2004
French champion in the 200m in 1997, 2004, and 2005

Personal bests
60m: 7.06 seconds French record
100m: 10.73 seconds French record European record holder
200m: 22.26 seconds

Summary of international achievements: 9 medals
Olympic Games: 1 bronze medal
World Champion: 5 medals 1 Gold & 1 Silver3 bronze
European Championships: 3 medals 2 Gold & 1 Silver

Biography:

Christine Arron remains a living legend in athletics. In 1998, in Budapest, she made history by becoming European champion in the 100 meters. That day, she clocked an exceptional time of 10.73 seconds, a European record that still stands today and, 29 years later, remains a world benchmark. This feat, which has stood the test of time, is testament to her extraordinary talent, her discipline, and her ability to push the limits.

Her list of achievements is impressive: a world and Olympic medalist and a key member of the French 4x100-meter relay team, Christine Arron has flown the flag for France on all
the major international tracks. But beyond her titles, she embodies a sprinter who has captured the collective imagination, inspiring generations of athletes and sports enthusiasts.

Today, she puts this experience and aura to good use in the town of Champigny-sur-Marne, where she is the elected representative in charge of sport. True to the values that have carried her throughout her career—hard work, perseverance, pushing herself beyond her limits—she now works
to make sports accessible to all residents.

Her ambition is clear: to make sport a vehicle for well-being, education, and social cohesion. Through her commitment, Christine Arron continues to convey the spirit of
performance and excellence, but also the importance of sport as a tool for inclusion and sharing.

A true model of success, she embodies both the memory of a historic record and the desire to take concrete action for the future.

Her career proves that great victories do not end on the track: they continue in the community, in the service of others.

Tiémoué BAKAYOKO

International Football Player, French champion with AS Monaco

FOOTBALL

Awards:

French champion with AS Monaco (2017)
Champions League semifinalist (2017)
FA Cup winner with Chelsea (2018)
Serie A winner with AC Milan (2023)

Biography:

Tiémoué Bakayoko is a French international soccer player born in Paris in 1994. Trained in Rennes, he quickly established himself as one of the most promising midfielders of his generation thanks to his physical impact, his reading of the game, and his ability to recover and distribute the ball. After a remarkable debut in Ligue 1, he joined AS Monaco in 2014, where he took a decisive step forward in his career.

With Monaco, Tiémoué had a historic season in 2016/2017, marked by a French Championship title and a Champions League semi-final. His performances attracted international attention, and he signed with Chelsea FC, a leading Premier League club. Playing for the Blues, he won the FA Cup in 2018.

During his career, he also played for AC Milan, the legendary Serie A club, where he won the Scudetto. These experiences in major European leagues have given him international recognition and a unique understanding of different playing styles.

Alongside his sporting career, Tiémoué is deeply attached to his roots and his role in society. Originally from the 14th arrondissement of Paris, he is actively involved in impactful projects.

Fabien BAREL

Three-time downhill mountain bike World champion, ebike 2023 World Cup winner

DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE

Awards:

8-time French downhill mountain bike champions.
3-time downhill mountain bike world champion.
ebike 2023 World Cup winner

Biography:

Three-time World Champion, engineer, and entrepreneur, Fabien Barel has been involved in high-level mountain biking for almost 30 years.
A rider with a stellar career and a skilled developer, Fabien has always worked with the biggest brands to advance the development of bikes, as well as the athletes he trains.

Now committed to the future of his sport, Fabien has become a key player in the cycling industry, promoting the values of his sport in terms of mobility and healthy living.

As Louis Nucera said: "The infinite is within reach and cycling will always be a passion and a way of life," Fabien emphasizes.

With an exceptional and unexpected return to the handlebars, Fabien won the very first World Cup organized in Ebike Enduro in 2023. This shows us that even with the passing years, his talent and experience place him among the best mountain bike riders in the world.

Leo BERGÈRE

World Champion and Olympic Medalist

TRIATHLON

Awards:

WTCS World Champion (2022)
Bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics (2024)
WTCS World Vice-Champion (2024)
Bronze medalist at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships (2024)
Mixed Relay World Champion (2019 and 2020)
European Champion (2022)

Biography:

Léo Bergère, born on June 28, 1996, in Pont-de-Beauvoisin (Isère), is one of the big names in French triathlon. A member of the French national team and the Saint-Jean-de-Monts Vendée Triathlon club, he is now establishing himself as a leading athlete on the world circuit.

A promising talent since his junior days, he won the U23 mixed relay world championship title in 2018. The following year, he joined the elite and won his first world title in the mixed relay team event.

His individual progress has been steady: first podiums in the WTCS in 2021, then recognition the following year with a 2022 world championship title and a European gold medal in Munich. 2023 confirmed his ranking with a third place in the overall World Championship standings.

The year 2024 marked a historic turning point: in Paris, Léo Bergère and Cassandre Beaugrand became the first French Olympic medalists in individual triathlon, winning bronze in front of their home crowd. He ended his season on a high note with the title of WTCS world vice-champion and a bronze medal at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Taupō.

A sergeant in the French army, he trains in Saint-Raphaël with a group that includes Léonie Périault, Nils Serre Gehri, Yanis Seguin, and Maxence Mey, under the guidance of Italian coach Fabio Rastelli. His mental preparation is overseen by former biathlete Marie-Laure Brunet. On a personal level, he shares his life with Italian Angelica Olmo, who is also a triathlete.

Thierry BOUTSEN

Former Driver

FORMULA 1

Biography:

Thierry Boutsen Story

Born in 1957 in Brussels, Thierry Boutsen is a Belgian former Formula One driver.
His passion for motorsport sparked when he was three years old. Patient but determined and ambitious, he started his career in 1976 at the André Pilette Racing School in Zolder.

As a deal with his father, Thierry would need to get his mechanical-engineering degree before fully focusing on a motorsport career. After graduating, he worked his way up and entered the Benelux Formula Ford Championship. In 1978, he won 15 of the 18 races. From there, he kept going to race in Formula 3, then Formula 2, where he became European vice-Champion. In 1983, he moved up to Formula One with the team Arrows at his home race, the Belgian Grand Prix. Thierry remained with this team during four years, finished second at the 1985 San Marino Grand Prix.
In 1987, he moved on to Benetton and finished fourth in the 1988 F1 World Championship.

1989 marked a watershed. Thierry switched to the Williams team and won his first Grand Prix in Canada. Sustaining this momentum, he took two other wins at the Australian and Hungarian Grand Prix. After the 1990 season, Thierry moved on to Ligier, then to Jordan. As a renowned Formula One champion, he participated in 164 Formula One races in total.

In 1993, he chose to retire from Formula One and continued racing sportscars as Porsche Factory Driver for six years.
The line must be drawn somewhere, Thierry decided to quit racing in 1999 for new adventures.

« I learned in racing all about precision, preparation, timing, attention to detail, punctuality, motivation, concentration, sacrifices, no right to error, teamwork, in fact racing is a very good school of life. »

At the end of his driving career, he focused all his efforts on his second passion: aviation. Thierry founded Boutsen Aviation in 1997 with his wife Daniela, a business dedicated to the sale of Business Jets and Helicopters. To date, the company has sold an outstanding 381 aircraft, making it one of the leading European companies in the business aviation industry.

In 2018, Thierry's thirst for new challenges led to the development of Boutsen Classic Cars.
With a unique international network provided by the former driver's history in motor racing and its Business Jets company, the firm specializes in the sourcing, acquisition and sale of historic road and race cars from the 50's to the 90's for discriminating collectors.

Marine BOYER

Professional gymnast, World Championship team Medalist

GYMNASTICS

Awards:

Recently won a team medal at the 2023 World Championships.
The only French gymnast to have competed in three Olympic Games.

Biography:

Marine Boyer began gymnastics at a very early age at the Melun club. At the age of 8, she joined the sport-study section of the Meaux Gymnastique club, and went on to join the Pôle Espoir de Meaux before joining the INSEP in 2014. At INSEP, she is first coached by Dimitru Pop, Jian Fu and Hong Ma Wang, and since January 2018, by Martine Georges and Cédric Guille.
At the 2016 European Championships, Marine was silver medalist on beam. She also won bronze in the team final with her French teammates.
At the age of 16, Marine competes at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where she qualifies for the beam final and finishes in 4th place.
At the 2018 Mediterranean Games in Tarragona, she wins the beam title and the team silver medal.
In August 2018, she competes at the European Championships in Glasgow, where France takes second place in the team final. As an individual, Marine wins bronze in the beam final.

At the 2018 World Championships in Doha, Marine Boyer and her teammates reach 5th place in the team final.
In 2019, at the World Championships in Stuttgart, Marine and teammates Lorette Charpy, Mélanie De Jesus Dos Santos, Aline Friess and Claire Pontlevoy finished 4th in the qualifying round. This remarkable performance earned them team qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In the final, the French women finished in 5th place worldwide, equaling their 2018 performance.
She took part in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and was recently team bronze medallist at the world championships in Anvers in 2023.

Rebecca CASTAUDI

French international pentathlete

PENTATHLON

Awards:

European Champion (2025)
Two-time Junior World Champion (2021-2022)

Biography:

Rebecca Castaudi is a French elite athlete born in 2002 who specializes in modern pentathlon. Since her debut, Rebecca has distinguished herself through her determination, her ability to progress rapidly, and her impressive maturity despite her young age.

As a member of the French modern pentathlon team, she has made a name for herself in a sport that is still relatively unknown to the general public, but whose values of courage, pushing boundaries, and strategy resonate particularly well with her own journey. Her performances in international competitions have earned her European and world titles, reinforcing her status as a promising athlete on the international stage.

Beyond her sporting achievements, Rebecca embodies a new generation of French athletes: ambitious, committed, and keen to convey positive messages to young people. She uses her image to promote the importance of sport in personal development.

Her approachable personality and infectious energy make her a true source of inspiration. Through her performances and commitment, she helps to raise the profile of modern pentathlon and give this Olympic discipline greater visibility.

Faustine CLAPIER

European and World in team Sabre Champion

FENCING

Awards:

Gold medals in the team events at the World Cups in Cairo and Lima.
Two bronze medals at the European U23 Individual Championships and three in the team events.
Two-time French U23 champion.

Biography:

Faustine Clapier has been fencing since she was six years old. She started with foil before specializing in saber at the age of eight, joining the Orléans club.

Over the years, she progressed rapidly in the discipline and joined the Pôle France in Orléans, then the international academy of a renowned coach. For the past two years, she has been training at INSEP as part of the Pôle France Sabre ladies' team.

The 2024-2025 season marks a turning point in her international career: selected for the French team, she won the European team championship title, then the world team championship title, alongside Sara Balzer, Sarah Noutcha, and Toscane Tori.

Her goal is clear: to continue her progress at the highest level and aim for an Olympic gold medal.

Robert COLLE

Jury Member

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.

Charmaine CROOKS

Olympic Silver Medalist in Athletics

TRACK & FIELD

Biography:

Although she began running at the age of 16, Charmaine Crooks had impressive longevity and made a significant impact on Canadian athletics, rivaled by few. She first gained international recognition at the 1980 Pan American Junior Championships, where she won the 400 metres event. She was selected to represent Canada at the 1980 Summer Olympics, but stayed home after Canada joined the boycott of the Games. The following year, she enrolled at the University of Texas, El Paso on an athletic scholarship, and by 1984, she had earned six All-American honors and a degree in psychology.

During this time, Crooks also won the 4x100 metre relay at the 1982 Commonwealth Games alongside Angella Taylor-Issajenko, Molly Killingbeck, and Jill Richardson-Briscoe. She earned silver in the 4x400 m relay at the 1983 Summer Universiade and gold and silver in the 400 m and 4x400 m relay at the 1983 Pan American Games. After graduation, she competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics, where she won a silver medal in the 4x400 m relay with Killingbeck, Richardson, Marita Payne Wiggins, and Dana Wright, and finished seventh in the 400 m.

Crooks was far from retirement after her Olympic success. Although she competed in three more Olympic Games (1988 to 1996), her closest shot at the podium came in the 4x400 m relay in 1992, where the Canadians missed bronze by less than a second. However, she earned three more Commonwealth Games medals: gold in the 4x400 m relay in 1986, and silver in the 800 m and bronze in the 4x400 m relay in 1994. She also secured a silver medal in the 4x400 m relay at the 1987 Pan American Games.

In 1996, Crooks was selected as Canada's flagbearer for the opening ceremony of the Atlanta Olympic Games. Following her retirement, she held several administrative roles in sports, including serving on the International Olympic Committee. She also worked as a television presenter and received the IOC Women in Sport Trophy in 2006. Crooks has been inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame (2005), the University of Texas, El Paso Sports Hall of Fame (2006), and the Canadian Athletics Hall of Fame (2012).

Victor CROUIN

3-time French Champion

SQUASH

Biography:

Victor Crouin, born in 1999 in Marseille and raised in Toulon, discovered squash at age 6 and decided to focus on it fully by the age of 10. A talented junior, he reached the World Championship final and won two European titles. After graduating with a degree in Economics from Harvard in 2022, he chose to dedicate himself entirely to his sport. A three-time French and European champion and two-time World Games winner, he has reached a career-high ranking of World No. 7 (currently No. 11) and is France's No. 1 player. His goal: to win a medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where squash will make its debut.

Gregory CROZIER

World artistic champion and sport ambassador

ARTISTIC SKYDIVING

Awards:

Freefly world Champion
24 World Records between the two of us
32 competitions, 32 podium finishes
2018 World Champions
2017 European Vice-Champions
2012 World Cup Winners
18 national titles between the two of us

Biography:

Gregory Crozier, born in St Etienne in June 1981, from the age of 6 flies sometimes with his father on leisure planes. At the age of 8, he saw parachutists evolving under canopies in the sky of St Galmier and landing in front of him. But it was at the age of 14 that he discovered, thanks to images from numerous Hollywood movies, what skydiving really was. It was revelation for him, skydiving must be part of his life. He started skydiving at the age of 16 and in 2018 became World Skydiving Champion with his partner Karine Joly. He is very attached to Monaco having worked 7 years as a yacht captain with Monaco Equipage and Ulysse Yachting. Recently, he was honored to be able to participate in the inauguration of Skydive Monaco by realizing one of his dreams: jumping over the Principality!

- DADOU

Cartoonist, Comic Book Writer, Caricaturist and Illustrator

Biography:

David Buonomo, better known as Dadou, was born on March 20, 1981, in Montpellier.
From an early age, he developed a passion for storytelling, whether through drawing or animated images in cinema. At the same time, he excelled on the soccer field, playing at a high level before trading his cleats for a pencil. Already in middle school and high school at Joffre, his comic talent was evident: with his accomplice Emmanuel Combes, he caricatured students and teachers, slipping his drawings into diaries that circulated in class and triggered fits of laughter... even among the teachers!

His cinematic influences, popular references, and sense of visual humor quickly marked his style. Dadou cut his teeth in the local fanzine Coin-coin, then in 2006 landed a weekly column in the Sète edition of Midi Libre. This initial recognition encouraged him to go further.

The big break came in 2010 with the publication of his comic book L'Avis de Rocco (Wygo Éditions). But it was the following year that Dadou made a name for himself with the general public. In December 2011, he published Nicollin, une vie de foot, a tender and hilarious tribute to the iconic president of MHSC, Louis Nicollin. It was an instant success. Several works devoted to the same colorful character followed: Nicollin, poubelle la vie (2012), Langue de but !!! (2013), 40 ans
de folie (2014) and Nicollin, Loulou Ferrari !!!! (2016). In 2018, his latest album in the saga, Nicollin avec deux ailes, took on a special significance: a vibrant farewell, published one year after Loulou's death.

Never short of ideas, Dadou embarked on a new publishing adventure in 2020 with Chloro King, a comic book dedicated to Professor Didier Raoult. For the occasion, he created his own publishing house, Fixila Productions. The album appealed to both supporters and detractors of the controversial Marseille doctor and was a great success. Dadou even went to the IHU in Marseille to personally deliver signed copies.

Dadou is a versatile artist who does not limit himself to comics. Since 2012, he has been appearing live on Eurosport, notably on the program Les Rois de la pédale, where he sketches the highlights of cycling races as they happen.
A complete artist, Dadou brilliantly combines humor, caricature, and popular culture. Between his passion for sports, his love of comics, and his taste for witty remarks, he has established himself as an essential writer and illustrator, always on the lookout for new playgrounds.

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.

Tom DOLLE

Three-time World Champion

FREESTYLE KAYAK

Awards:

Three-time World Freestyle Kayaking Champion
Two-time European Champion
First frenchman to have kayaked down the highest waterfall in extreme kayaking

Biography:

Tom Dollé is a French kayaker and canoeist specializing in freestyle and extreme disciplines. At just 24 years old, he already holds the most impressive record in his sport and is the Frenchman to have descended the highest waterfall in an extreme kayak.

Tom developed a passion for the sport at a very early age. It must be said that his father, a former international rower, and his maternal grandparents, former paddle importers, had a strong influence on his career. His parents were attached to American culture, so Tom spent much of his youth in the United States. It was in this multicultural environment that he learned to kayak at the age of 9, under his father's wing, but also alongside legends of the sport such as Dane Jackson and Mat Dumoulin.

A member of the French freestyle team since 2016, Tom quickly made a name for himself by winning his first Junior World Championship title in kayaking in 2017, before going on to win the Senior World Championship title in 2019. Since then, he has continued to perform at the highest level, winning four European titles and three World Cup circuits in recent years. In 2025, he became the first French world champion in freestyle canoeing, a historic achievement. He also took second place in the world kayaking championships that same weekend.

Tom has earned a reputation for his consistency and ability to perform complex tricks, sometimes in very demanding river conditions. The embodiment of a new generation of sporting talent, Tom is also an ambassador for freestyle kayaking outside of competitions. He regularly contributes to promoting the sport and sharing his passion, particularly through coaching courses.

Charles DUBOULOZ

Professional Mountain Climber

CLIMBING

Awards:

Charles Dubouloz's main achievements in recent years:
May 2024: First ascent, alongside Symon Welfringer, of the unclimbed west face of Hungchi (7,029 m), on the border between Nepal and Tibet, a daring exploratory climb.
February 2023: First winter ascent of the north face of the Grandes Jorasses.
July 2022: Completion of an ambitious loop in the Écrins massif, climbing ten major peaks in thirteen days, alone and roped together.
January 2022: First solo winter ascent of the Rolling Stones route on the north face of the Grandes Jorasses (Mont Blanc massif), an unprecedented achievement that propelled him to the forefront of the international mountaineering scene.
2021: Solo winter ascent of the north face of Les Drus, an achievement that highlights his daring and his ability to climb alone in extreme conditions.
2021: Alpine opening of a new route on the north face of Chamlang (7,319 m) in Nepal, with Benjamin Védrines.
2016: Ski descent of the Linceul on the Grandes Jorasses (grade 5.5), a notable achievement in the field of extreme skiing.

Biography:

From the legendary walls of the Himalayas—Chamlang (2021) and Hungchi (2024)—to the north faces of Alpine peaks—Grandes Jorasses (2022) and Drus (2021)—Charles Dubouloz has become a leading figure in global mountaineering in just a few years.

The son of a banker and a pharmacist, nothing predestined the Talloires native to challenge the steepest walls on the planet. But the call of the outdoors was stronger.
Growing up between lake and mountain, Charles was shaped by the elements. Today, he is a highly trained and perfectly prepared athlete, both physically and mentally.

His style? Pure, unadulterated mountaineering. No assistance, no artifice.
With his creativity, audacity, and technical skill, Charles is shaking up the codes of mountaineering, which have been frozen in tradition for too long.

At 5'7", 143 pounds, with a youthful face—a thin beard and tousled hair—Charles also breaks the image of the taciturn mountaineer.
He embodies the new generation of climbers: more human and more transparent.
He is willing to reveal his flaws, to talk about his fears and emotions.

A mountain guide with an atypical personality, incapable of taking himself seriously even in the most delicate situations, Charles sings, laughs, and jokes while defying danger.
This is due to his relaxed nature, but also his modesty in the face of the risks of the mountains.

Always seeking a new climb, the French mountaineer constantly pushes the boundaries of his sport.
But the arrival of his daughter in 2019 changed everything. Charles now has to juggle fatherhood and its demands.

And when climbing, he can no longer take risks and push himself to the extreme as he did before...
Well, almost. Because even though part of his time is now devoted to his daughter's education and passions, his commitment to the mountains remains intact.

The call of the heights is still there.
More thoughtful, perhaps.
But just as intense.

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.

Maro ENGEL

Racing Driver & Ambassador for Mercedes-AMG

MOTORSPORTS

Biography:

Maro Engel is a German international racing driver born in Munich 27.08.85 (36y) living in Monaco with his wife Stefanie (Married 2017) and daughter Sophia Grace (born 2018). Although being German by nationality Monaco has always been very close to the heart of Maro Engel and he has strong ties with the principality as he grew up in Monaco from the age of 3 years old and is still living here today.
From a professional standpoint Maro's career started in and around Monaco on the hinterland go-kart tracks together with his kindergarten friend Nico Rosberg in the early 1990's. Along his successful professional career he has raced in a variety of categories such as:
• FIA GT3
• DTM
• FIA Formula E (For Monegasque team Venturi)
• V8 supercars
• WRC Rallye
Throughout his entire professional career Maro has been affiliated with German constructor Mercedes-AMG as a factory driver and since 2017 also as an official brand ambassador. Today he is still racing with the Mercedes- AMG GT3 which has most recently in 2021 carried him and his team mates to victory in the Rolex Daytona 24h (GTD) race. some of his greatest sporting achievements include:
• FIA GT World Cup Champion 2015
• Nürburgring 24h Winner 2016
• Daytona 24h (GTD) Winner 2021
• Macau GT Cup Winner 2014 & 2015
• Suzuka 10h Winner 2018
• Blancpain Endurance Cup Champion 2018
In the racing world Maro Engel is also known as the "King of the Ring" named after his series of pole positions (2016, 2019, 2020) and wins at the prestigious old Nürburgring Nordschleife also known as the "Green Hell". In 2020 he set a new lap record for series production vehicles around the Nürburgring Nordschleife with the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series in 6min43,646s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWaz9HVgDeY
Aside from the racing world, Maro Engel is proudly supporting the Laureus sport for good foundation as a Laureus ambassador as well as being a champion for peace for the Monaco based Peace & Sport charity foundation. Maro's firm belief is that supporting others and particularly children that are less fortunate is our duty as a successful society.

Axelle ETIENNE

Bronze medalist at World Championship and 7-time French Champion

BMX

Awards:

Third place at the 2019 World Championships
Two-time Olympic finalist (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024)
Seven-time French champion

Biography:

A world medalist and two-time finalist in BMX racing, Axelle Etienne, 27, is the face of French women's BMX racing.

Axelle started BMX racing at the age of 8. A gifted early talent, she quickly joined the Lempdes BMX Auvergne club before moving to the French training center in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in 2015. In the junior category, Axelle won every possible world and European title. In 2017, she won her first French Elite Championship title, while still only a junior. A bright future lay ahead of her. Two years later, at the age of 21, she won her first world medal, taking third place on the podium at the Elite World Championships. In Tokyo, in her first Olympic Games, she had a flawless run to the final. In Paris, despite a season punctuated by injuries, she once again reached the Olympic final, making her the best Frenchwoman in the discipline.

Outside of competition, Axelle is a lively young woman. She is currently studying physical therapy in the Paris region. Given her precocious talent, she is already considered the most talented BMX rider of her generation.

Manae FELEU

International Rugby Union player

RUGBY

Awards:

3rd in the 2022 World Cup 4th in the 2025 World Cup 2nd in the 2025 Six Nations Championship Member of the Six Nations Championship All-Star Team in 2024
5th year of medical school

Biography:

Originally from Wallis and Futuna, Manae Feleu discovered rugby on her native island, in a family passionate about sport. Versatile and curious, she practiced several disciplines before turning to rugby with her younger sister. After arriving in mainland France to study medicine in Dijon, she was quickly spotted by the French national team's coaching staff. She took part in her first training camps with the under-20s and then joined the Pôle France rugby academy.

Once she had completed her PACES (first year of medical school), Manae joined the Amazones de Grenoble, the club she remains loyal to today. Her commitment and determination led to a meteoric rise: at just 21 years old, she earned her first selection for the French national team and competed in the Women's World Cup in New Zealand, a symbolic return to the country where she discovered high-level rugby. It was an intensely emotional moment shared with her family.

In 2023, she was named captain of the French national team for the Women's XV Nations, while continuing her medical studies (5th year) with flying colors. This year, Manae participated in the Six Nations Tournament and the World Cup in England, where France finished in fourth place. An inspiring figure of perseverance and excellence, Manae Feleu embodies sporting and academic success, a role model for the younger generation and for all those who dream of combining passion, commitment, and high performance.

Benjamin FERRÉ

Offshore sailor

SAILING

Biography:

Benjamin Ferré is a Breton sailor and entrepreneur passionate about adventure and challenges. After hitchhiking around the world, crossing the Atlantic using a sextant, and completing various expeditions, he founded IMAGO in 2017, the first French incubator for sporting and solidarity-based exploration projects.

He discovered offshore racing in 2017 and reached the podium of the 2019 Mini Transat, finishing as first rookie. Inspired by Jean Le Cam, he set his sights on the 2024 Vendée Globe. In 2022, he took the helm of the IMOCA Banque Populaire and finished his first solo race in 11th place. Supported by Groupe Monnoyeur and the association Duo for a job, he went on to shine in double-handed races with Pierre Le Roy in 2023.

On February 3, 2025, he completed the Vendée Globe in 16th place, becoming the first daggerboard IMOCA to cross the finish line. He then won the 2025 Ocean Race with Team Biotherm alongside Paul Meilhat.

Pierre FROLLA

World Record Holder

FREEDIVING

Awards:

3 Freediving World Records in the category Free Immersion
1 Freediving World Records in the Variable Weight category
1 European Freediving Record in the Free Immersion category
3 French records in freediving in the variable weight category

Biography:

Born on February 14, 1975, Pierre FROLLA is a freediver from Monaco, author of four world records in freediving. Freediving, scuba diving and first aid instructor, he is the coordinator of the underwater activities of Monaco and diving advisor of Prince Albert 2 of Monaco. In 2002 he founded the Sea Monegasque Academy which works to raise awareness of the marine world by teaching diving to children, starting at the age of eight. He regularly works with companies as a lecturer and event organizer, while maximizing his commitment to charitable causes.

Since 2005, Pierre FROLLA has been an activist committed to the protection of the oceans, and particularly of sharks.
Terrorized as a child by sharks following the famous movie Jaws, Pierre FROLLA decided as an adult to confront his phobia and to discover them by diving among them, without protection, and freediving. Following these first contacts, he returned transformed and said he was horrified at the idea of seeing these majestic beings disappear, inspiring humility and fascination. Since then, he has been involved in the cause of sharks, in raising awareness and protecting these animals.

In November 2012, he swam for 45 minutes next to 25 sharks in the Paris Aquarium to show their harmlessness to raise public awareness of their protection. After specializing in free-diving shark tagging, he decided to travel the world in order to stage himself in the midst of the giants of the oceans and bring back magnificent photos and videos, the aim of which is to raise public awareness of the beauty of the ocean floor.

Marie-Charlotte GASTAUD

Olympic Athlete

TRACK AND FIELD

Awards:

Qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the 100m
National Record holder in the 200m, 400m, and 400m hurdles
4th place at the 2023 Games of the Small States of Europe in the 400m hurdles
Selections:
5x European Championships
2x World Championships
1x Mediterranean Games

Biography:

Born on November 30, 1999, Marie-Charlotte Gastaud is a Monegasque athlete specializing in the 400m hurdles. Since her debut at Stade Louis II at the age of 7, her love for the sport has steadily grown. Enrolled in an athletics school by her parents, she initially focused on sprint events, particularly the 100m and 200m.

After a period of stagnation in her performances, Marie-Charlotte decided to switch to the 400m, a distance that allowed her to showcase her graceful stride over a longer course. For her, this transition was a breath of fresh air and a new challenge. The true turning point in her career came when she discovered the 400m hurdles, inspired by her brother, who had excelled in this discipline. Captivated by the challenge and the unique rhythm of the race, she decided to fully dedicate herself to hurdling.

In 2023, Marie-Charlotte made a crucial decision by joining a specialized training group at Nice Côte d'Azur Athlétisme, where she trained alongside national and international athletes. This new chapter marked the beginning of significant progress. With determination and high-quality coaching, she set several national records, notably in the 200m and 400m hurdles. She also holds the national record for the 400m.

In 2024, the year of the Olympic Games, Marie-Charlotte took on an ambitious challenge, aiming for universal qualification in the 100m. This return to her sprinting roots proved successful, as she competed on the track at the Stade de France, proudly representing Monaco's colors. This marked a major milestone in her sporting career. Marie-Charlotte is a dedicated athlete, whose seriousness and commitment have allowed her to overcome challenges and achieve her goals.

Joanna GRISEZ

International Player

RUGBY

Awards:

Olympian, Paris 2025
Bronze medalist, 2022 World Cup XV
Bronze medalist, 2022 World Cup 7
European champion, 2023

Biography:

Joanna Grisez, born on October 5, 1996, in Colombes (Hauts-de-Seine), is a French international rugby sevens and rugby union player. She mainly plays as a winger and has established herself as a leading figure in women's rugby in France.

She discovered rugby as an adult after practicing other sports, such as tennis and MMA, and quickly distinguished herself through her speed, her ability to break through defenses, and her scoring instinct. She is a member of the French rugby sevens team, with which she won a bronze medal at the 2022 Sevens World Cup.

Her dual career in both 7s and 15s rugby gives her a rare versatility. She also represents a generation of female athletes who are raising the profile of women's rugby by embodying performance, resilience, and modernity. Off the field, she is a committed athlete and patron of the Hope Sportif Solidaire association.

Marlène HARNOIS NIDECKER

Olympic medalist

TAEKWONDO

Awards:

-World Champion;
-Twice European Champion.

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.

Jacky ICKX

Six-time Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans

MOTORSPORTS

Awards:

32 active seasons from 1961 to 1992 (Automobile & Motocycle racing), Total of 555 races,
European F2 Champion 1967/1970, F1 Vice-World Champion 1969/1970,
114 F1 starts 1967 to 1979, 8 Grand-Prix wins & 3 wins in non-championship F1 races,
46 wins in endurance racing (record for most victories in the category),World Endurance Drivers's Champion with Porsche 1982/1983, Can-Am Champion 1979, Winner of Paris-Dakar Rally-Raid 1983, 40 rally-raid stage wins, including 29 in the Dakar
over 100 different types of machines,...

Biography:

This man's career always fascinated. As skilful in sprints as in Endurance, F1, Rally Raid, even in Can Am, Jacky knew how to be fast in all disciplines.
Jacky ICKX is a man in action. After having been an Ambassador for the Volkswagen Group and Porsche for several years, Jacky ICKX has been, since February 2024, Brand Partner of Genesis, the luxury brand of Hyundai Motor Group, which has just announced its upcoming engagement in the World Endurance Championship, the cream of endurance racing.
Nicknamed "Gentleman Driver" or "Mr Le Mans" or "Rain Master" and honoured with the title of "Driver of the Century" in Endurance racing, Jacky is a passionate about travelling by car and in total autonomy, with a preference for places not always easy to reach.
Jacky ICKX remains one of the most respected and loved drivers in the motor racing's world and beyond.

Karine JOLY

World Champion

ARTISTIC SKYDIVING

Awards:

Freefly World Champion
24 World Records between the two of us with Grégory Crozier
32 competitions, 32 podium finishes
2018 World Champions
2017 European Vice-Champions
2012 World Cup Winners
18 national titles between the two of us with Grégory Crozier
Sports Ambassadors for the Région SUD

Biography:

Karine Joly, originally from Lyon, studied interior design and object design in Paris before working at Espen Oeino International in Monaco.
She discovered skydiving with a tandem when she was 18 and fell in love with the flying feeling. At the age of 23, Karine learns to jump alone. As her passion for the sport keeps growing, she meets her partner in an airplane. Together, they start a competition team. Their progress and results encourage them to go high level. In 2015, Karine goes to skydiving full time to seek the Gold Medal on international podiums.
Alternating wind tunnel lessons and training, she wins the ultimate title and becomes Freefly World Champion (artistic skydiving) in 2018 in Australia.
Since then, the champion is doing coaching and demonstrations all over the world.
As South Region sport ambassador, she likes to transmit what drives her to the greatest number of people, through indoor flying, medias and conferences; and wish to inspire many women to dare more.

Emmanuelle LACAZE

Jury Member

Biography:

President of Gédéon
Emmanuelle Lacaze has overseen more than a hundred rebranding projects in France and around the world, most of which have been recognized at prestigious international festivals.
In 2020, Emmanuelle acquired 100% ownership of the agency. Under her leadership, Gédéon was named European Agency of the Year at Promax Europe and has received more than 140 awards in just four years.
Starting in 2019, and over the course of five years, Gédéon worked closely with the Paris 2024 brand teams to develop the animated branding guidelines for the Games and for the French national team. The agency also produced over 35 communication films related to the event, including several campaigns featuring the official mascots.
In May 2024, Gédéon was selected to work on the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Emmanuelle has also produced several fiction projects.
Her first feature film, La Vie d'une autre (Another Woman's Life), starring Juliette Binoche and Mathieu Kassovitz and directed by Sylvie Testud, drew over 400,000 admissions in France.
In 2016, she developed the original concept for the mini-series Joy for Studio+, the first app dedicated to digital series. Directed by Nan Feix and shot in Los Angeles, Joy was broadcast in the United States, Europe, and Russia.
Emmanuelle serves on the board of the Club des Directeurs Artistiques and is also a board member of Gema Europe.
She is a member of the association Pour des Femmes dans les Médias (PDFM), and is actively involved in mentoring initiatives across the television, cinema, radio, music, and new media industries.

Auriana LAZRAQ-KHLASS

European Vice-Champion

HEPTATHLON

Awards:

2024 European Championships in Rome: silver medal
2024 French Championships: gold medal
2023 French Championships: silver medal

Biography:

Auriana Lazraq-Khlass was born on April 22, 1999, in Pithiviers (Loiret). Attracted to athletics from an early age, she discovered competition as a child, motivated by a strong taste for effort, challenge, and versatility. She quickly specialized in combined events and chose the heptathlon as her field of expression. She now trains in Metz, where she is patiently building her progress at the highest level.

In January 2023, she set her first personal record in the indoor pentathlon with 4,394 points in Aubière. A few months later, she broke the symbolic 6,000-point barrier in the heptathlon for the first time, with 6,079 points in Montpellier. Her rise to prominence was confirmed in July 2023 when she became French vice-champion in Albi, with a new record of 6,153 points.

Selected at the last minute for the World Championships in Budapest in August 2023, Auriana achieved a remarkable performance: 3,712 points on the first day and a personal best of 6,179 points at the end of the competition, placing her 12th in the world.

The year 2024 marks a turning point. At the European Championships in Rome, she causes a sensation by winning the silver medal behind Olympic champion Nafissatou Thiam. She breaks six of her seven individual records and improves her total by 426 points, reaching 6,635 points. This result opened the doors to the French Olympic team for the Paris 2024 Games, which she competed in the following summer.

At just 25 years old, Auriana Lazraq-Khlass is one of the rising stars of French athletics. Resilient, demanding, and creative, she embodies a new generation of athletes who are talented, unique, and committed.

Stéphane LE GOFF

Jury Member

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.

Henri LECONTE

Jury President

TENNIS

Biography:

Henri Leconte, born on July 4, 1963, boasts one of the most impressive records in French tennis. Talented, generous, passionate, determined, and outspoken, the former World No. 5 and Davis Cup champion has always left a lasting impression. Known for hitting shots that "don't even exist," as Boris Becker once said, thanks to his famous and feared left arm, he has made an indelible mark on tennis history.
A professional player from 1980 to 1996, Henri Leconte captured nine ATP singles titles and reached his career-high ranking of World No. 5 in 1986. In doubles, he claimed ten titles, including Roland-Garros 1984 alongside Yannick Noah, and climbed to World No. 6 in 1985. Alongside Guy Forget, he achieved an incredible record in Davis Cup doubles, remaining undefeated with 11 wins in 11 matches.
In 1985, 1986, and 1988, he qualified for the Masters, the prestigious year-end tournament in New York featuring the world's top eight players. Finalist at Roland-Garros in 1988 against Mats Wilander, Leconte remains the only French player in the Open Era to have reached three Roland-Garros semifinals (1986, 1988, 1992). Versatile and spectacular, he excelled on all surfaces with his unique and attacking style of play.
One of the highlights of his career came in 1991, when he helped France win the Davis Cup in Lyon. After returning from a third back surgery and ranked only World No. 157, he stunned Pete Sampras, then ranked No. 7, before winning the decisive doubles match with Guy Forget. This victory, France's first Davis Cup title since 1932, remains one of the greatest moments in French tennis history.
After retiring, Henri has remained deeply connected to tennis. He served as President of the tennis section of the Levallois Sporting Club from 2010 to 2024, continues to compete on the Senior Tour, and passionately shares his experience with younger generations. A man of passion and communication, he has become a recognized figure in the media, appearing on Eurosport and RTL, and regularly speaks at conferences on personal growth and pushing beyond limits.

Sarah NOUTCHA

2-time European Champion

FENCING

Awards:

World No. 3 in 2024/2025
European Individual Champion in 2025
European Team Champion in 2022, 2024, and 2025
World Team Champion in 2025
3rd place in the individual competition at the 2025 Seoul Grand Prix
2nd place in the individual competition at the 2025 Cairo World Cup
3rd place in the individual competition at the Heraklion World Cup

Biography:

Born in 1999, Sarah Noutcha is a French sabre fencer and a key member of the French national team. At just 25 years old, she is ranked No. 3 in the world. The year 2025 has been a turning point in her career, highlighted by multiple World Cup podium finishes in individual events and three out of four possible titles at major championships: European champion in both individual and team events, and World champion with the French team.

Originally from Strasbourg, Sarah discovered fencing at the age of five, almost by chance, when she walked past a fencing hall in a multi-sport center. What started as curiosity quickly became a passion. She went on to claim several French national titles in youth categories and, at just 15 years old, earned her first international medals as a team European vice-champion and a World medalist.

After earning her science baccalaureate in 2017, she moved to Paris to join INSEP, where she has trained for over eight years. She quickly made her mark at the senior level, securing her first World Cup individual podium at the age of 18. In 2022, she qualified for her first senior major championships, where she and her teammates captured the European title and a silver medal at the World Championships.

Her rise was briefly interrupted by knee surgery, which kept her away from competition for a year. Upon her return, she quickly regained her form and earned Olympic qualification with the French team. At the Games, France narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth—a disappointment that nonetheless proved to be a valuable learning experience.

Alongside her sporting career, Sarah is completing her final year of physiotherapy studies. Driven and ambitious, she now has her sights firmly set on one ultimate goal: winning Olympic titles at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

Dimitri PAVADÉ

Paralympic Vice-Champion

PARA ATHLETICS (LONG JUMP)

Awards:

Paralympic silver medalist at the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games
World silver medalist in 2019
European silver medalist in 2021

Biography:

Dimitri Pavadé is now one of the leading figures in French para-athletics and a source of inspiration far beyond the stadiums. His life story is testament to his extraordinary strength of character. After suffering a terrible accident on the docks of Réunion Island, he underwent a tibial amputation. Far from stopping him, this tragedy became the starting point for a new journey. In 2013, he left his native island to move to mainland France and start a new life.

It was in Toulouse, at the Lagarrigue company, that he discovered running blades.
Fascinated by this tool of freedom and performance, he set himself an immense challenge: to get back on the track, train, and aim for the top level. With unwavering determination, he quickly climbed the ranks to reach the world elite in the T64 long jump category.

Today, Dimitri Pavadé is Paralympic silver medalist, world silver medalist, and European silver medalist. These podium finishes reflect his immense talent, but they also fuel his ultimate ambition: to win Paralympic gold. For him, each jump is another step towards this dream, but also a message to all those who doubt: disability does not prevent you from achieving excellence.

Beyond his performance, Dimitri is strongly committed to changing perceptions of disability. His story proves that resilience, courage, and sport can transform adversity into a driving force for achievement. Through his journey, he embodies a generation of champions who champion an inclusive and inspiring vision of sport.

Dimitri Pavadé is not just an athlete in pursuit of gold: he is a model of determination and an ambassador for a future where disability is no longer seen as a limitation, but as another way to surpass oneself.

Marie-José PÉREC

Three-time Olympic Champion and Two-time World Champion

TRACK AND FIELD

Awards:

Olympic Games
1992 Barcelona: Gold medal in the 400 m (48.83 seconds).
1996 Atlanta: Gold medal in the 400 m (48.25 seconds, Olympic record) and in the 200 m (22.12 seconds).

Flag bearer for the French delegation at the opening ceremony.
2024 Paris: Guest of honor, lights the Olympic cauldron alongside Teddy Riner.

World Championships
1991 Tokyo: Gold medal in the 400 m.
1995 Gothenburg: Gold medal in the 400m.

European Championships
1989 The Hague (indoor): Gold medal in the 200m.
1990 Split: Bronze medal in the 400m.
1994 Helsinki: Gold medal in the 400 m and 4 × 400 m relay.

French Championships
100 m: French champion in 1991.
200 m: French champion in 1992.
400 m: French champion in 1991, 1992, and 1995.
400 m hurdles: French champion in 1989.

Awards and honors
French Champion of Champions by L'Équipe (1992 and 1996).
Académie des Sports Award (1996).
IAAF Hall of Fame (2013).
Sports Legend at the National Sports Museum (2020).
Legion of Honor: Knight (1996), Officer (2013), Commander (2024, July 14 promotion).
Flag bearer for the French delegation in Atlanta in 1996.
Have lit the Olympic cauldron at the Paris 2024 Games.

Biography:

A legend of French athletics

Born on May 9, 1968, in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, Marie-José Pérec is considered the greatest French athlete of all time. An icon of world athletics, she made history with her elegance, power, and unmatched record.

Discovered early on for her athletic abilities, she moved to mainland France at the age of 16 to continue her training. Her talent quickly blossomed in sprinting: in 1991, she became world champion in the 400m in Tokyo, the first French woman to win this title.

The 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta remain the high point of her career. Having already won Olympic gold in the 400m in Barcelona in 1992, Pérec achieved the unique feat of retaining her title four years later, while also winning the 200m. She thus became a triple Olympic champion, joining the ranks of the world's greatest athletes.

But her legacy goes beyond medals. She was an example that gave hope to an entire population, becoming the voice of those who had none. Even before France's epic victory in 1998, she showed a generation—including Teddy Riner, Tony Parker, and Lilian Thuram—that it was possible to shine on the international stage. Throughout her career, she was driven by one conviction: to inspire, to embody, to pave the way.

Her fluid, airy style and inimitable stride earned her the nickname "the Gazelle." Behind this grace lay a demanding athlete, obsessed with perfection and willing to sacrifice everything to achieve excellence.

For more than twenty years, she has been involved in the Étoiles du Sport program, mentoring younger generations of athletes and passing on her experience. In 2024, she was chosen for a highly symbolic moment: lighting the Olympic cauldron in Paris, an act of recognition for her unique role in the history of French sport.

Today, Marie-José Pérec remains an inspirational figure, a symbol of elegance, courage, and determination. An extraordinary champion, pioneer, and mentor, she remains the living embodiment of what unwavering willpower can achieve.

Charline PICON

Olympic Champion

SAILING, WINDSURFING AND 49ER

Awards:

Three Olympic medals, including gold in Rio, all in two sailing disciplines! Unprecedented in France!
Olympic champion (Rio, 2016), Olympic silver medalist (Tokyo 20), World Champion in 2014, European Champion in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, and 2021, all in windsurfing. Add to that, European Vice Champion in 2024 in 49er and Olympic bronze in Marseille in 2024!

Biography:

Charline Picon is an iconic figure in the world of sailing, whose exceptional career has earned her widespread admiration. Her career is marked by rare longevity and a unique ability to reinvent herself at the highest level.
Originally from Royan, Charline Picon first made a name for herself in windsurfing (RS:X), a discipline in which she has won everything there is to win. World champion in 2014, she dominated the European scene with several continental titles. The peak of her windsurfing career came in 2016, when she won a magnificent gold medal at the Rio Olympics. After becoming a mother in 2017, she achieved the feat of returning to the top to win a silver medal in Tokyo in 2021, becoming the first and only woman to win two Olympic medals in RS:X.
After Tokyo, driven by a desire for new challenges, she took on a crazy challenge: switching to the 49er FX, a demanding double dinghy. In just three years, teamed up with Sarah Steyaert, she achieved the unthinkable. After winning the silver medal at the European Championships, the duo triumphed on home soil by winning a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games in Marseille. Charline Picon thus entered the history books of French sport by becoming the first athlete to win three Olympic medals in two different sailing disciplines.
Beyond her sporting achievements, Charline is a committed woman, a trained physiotherapist and business owner in La Rochelle, with her "FLOW" concept. She is also very involved in the preservation of the oceans.

Allison PINEAU

Jury Member

HANDBALL

Biography:

Representative of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee
Allison Pineau, born on May 2, 1989, in Chartres, is an iconic figure in French handball. Her exceptional talent, game vision, and leadership earned her the title of IHF World Handball Player of the Year in 2009, at just 20 years old. She remains the only French player to have received this prestigious distinction.
Her career with the French national team is filled with success. She has won all three major titles: the World Championship in 2017, the European Championship in 2018, and the ultimate Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021. Her impressive record also includes silver medals at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 and in several World Championships.
Allison's club career has been equally remarkable, taking her to play for prestigious teams in France and across Europe. She concluded her professional playing career with Metz Handball in June 2025, finishing on a high note with a French Championship and French Cup double.
With over 270 caps and nearly 700 goals scored for the French national team, Allison Pineau has left a lasting mark on the history of her sport. Her journey, determination, and resilience in overcoming injuries have made her one of the most respected players of her generation.
Now retired from the court, Allison is embarking on a career in the sports business industry, while continuing her work as a speaker and consultant for La Chaîne L'Équipe. In 2024, she published her autobiography, ALLI, and in 2025, she was elected to the High-Level Athletes Commission (CAHN) of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF).

Jean SULPICE

2-star Chef

Biography:

After earning his first star at the age of 26, Jean Sulpice became the youngest chef to receive two stars in the prestigious Michelin Guide at the age of 31 in his gourmet restaurant in Val Thorens.

A man who thrives on challenges, he took over the Auberge du Père Bise, a historic establishment on the shores of Lake Annecy in Talloires (Haute-Savoie), with his wife Magali.

A man who loves a challenge, he took over the Auberge du Père Bise, a historic establishment on the shores of Lake Annecy in Talloires (Haute-Savoie), with his wife Magali in 2018.

A native of Savoie, where his parents and grandparents were restaurateurs, he was trained by the great names of French cuisine, such as Marc Veyrat.

Nature, mountains, and sports are his greatest sources of inspiration.

An accomplished athlete and a man who loves a challenge, Jean Sulpice draws on his experience in sports (road cycling, mountain biking, and ski mountaineering) to strive for excellence in the kitchen.

In 2018, he finished 134th (out of 13,000 participants) in the Étape du Tour, a famous cycling event organized alongside the Tour de France on a particularly demanding mountain stage

In 2024, he took part in the Pierra Menta, a leading ski mountaineering race in the Beaufortain (10,000 meters of elevation gain over four days, covering 15 peaks ranging from 2,000 to 2,687 meters) with Jérôme Feuillade.

His 17-year-old son, Paul, is also a ski mountaineer and a member of the French national team. He dreams of competing in the 2030 Olympic Games in the French Alps.

Toscane TORI

World and European Team Fencing Champion

FENCING

Awards:

2025:
Senior World Team Champion
Quarterfinalist at the Senior World Individual Championships
Senior European Team Champion
Senior French Team Champion
U23 European Individual Runner-up
U23 European Team Champion
Four podium finishes in the World Team Cup
17th in the FIE Senior World Rankings
3rd in the FFE Senior National Rankings

2024:
Junior World Team Champion
Junior European Team Vice-Champion
French Junior Individual and Team Champion
French Senior Team Champion
6 podiums in the Junior World Cup
3rd in the FIE Junior World Ranking
1st in the FFE Junior National Ranking

Biography:

Born on March 3, 2004, in Paris, Toscane Tori is a French international fencer who specializes in sabre fencing.

She discovered fencing at the age of eight at school, then joined the Cercle d'Escrime Henri IV de Charenton-le-Pont in 2013. It was at this club that she competed in her first competitions, achieved her first podium finishes, and confirmed her passion for sabre fencing.

In 2016, she made a name for herself by winning her first titles at the French junior and youth championships. The following year, she was selected for the French U15 team for the Mediterranean Championships, before being promoted to the U17 team and participating in her first European Cups. She then continued her rise within the French U17 and U20 teams, becoming European Cadet Champion in 2020 after several national and international podium finishes.

Alongside her studies (baccalaureate then bachelor's degree at Paris Dauphine PSL University), she joined the Pôle France Relève Sabre dames (French Women's Sabre Training Center). There she enjoyed a string of successes, winning several national titles in the U17 and U20 categories as well as medals in World Cups. She was regularly selected for the European and World Junior Championships.

The 2023-2024 season marks a turning point: competing for Strasbourg Université Club, she ends her junior career with a series of major titles - French Under-20 Champion in individual and team events, French Senior Team Champion, European Under-20 Team Vice-Champion, and World Under-20 Team Champion.

Since September 2024, she has been training at INSEP as part of the French Women's Sabre Team. During the 2024-2025 season, she discovered the senior world circuit and quickly made her mark: after several good individual placings and several team podium finishes, she qualified for the European and World Senior Championships. She finished eighth in the individual competition at the World Championships and won three major titles: European Senior Team Champion, European U23 Team Champion, and Senior Team World Champion.

Today, Toscane Tori is pursuing her dual goals: higher education and a high-level sports career. Her ambitions are clear: to attend a prestigious business school and represent France at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Jimmy VIENOT

Seven-time World Champion in Thai Boxing, transitioning to MMA

THAI BOXING / MMA

Awards:

7-time world champion, 5-time European champion, 5-time French Thai boxing champion, Lumpinee champion. 117 fights, 96 wins, 32 KOs.

Biography:

Seven-time world champion, five-time European champion, and five-time French champion in Thai boxing, he is one of the most decorated French boxers at the age of 30.

Born in the Paris region, Jimmy moved to Montpellier at the age of 10. He began practicing combat sports with judo from the age of 5 to 13. He moved on to Thai boxing at the age of 13 at Star Boxing Montpellier.

Jimmy Vienot turned professional in 2013 at the age of 18 and has an impressive record: 117 fights, 96 wins, 32 KOs. In 2018, at the age of 23, Jimmy Vienot already held three world titles. At 24, he became a legend by winning the legendary title at the largest stadium, "LUMPINEE."

He was named French Boxer of the Year in 2016 and 2019. A committed boxer, he boasts several distinctions: INSEP Champions' Evening Medal (2018, 2019), Honorary Citizen Medal of the City of Montpellier (2019), Hérault Department Medal (2019), and National Assembly Medal (2019).

He is currently pursuing his Muay Thai career, with a seventh world championship title at the end of 2021. In addition, Jimmy is diversifying and made his professional debut in MMA at UAE Warriors, a first in the octagon that ended in victory.

In 2025, he was ranked 1st in the world in his category (72.5kg).
Jimmy Vienot, nicknamed "the Cheetah" of Muay Thai, has always been trained by Désiré "Dédé" Thibaut.
He is currently under contract with ARES Fighting.

Jean-Denis WALTER

Jury member

Biography:

After a long career in the press, notably as Director of Photography and later Co-Editor-in-Chief of L'Équipe Magazine for more than twelve years, Jean-Denis Walter founded in 2013 a gallery in Paris dedicated exclusively to showcasing and selling original prints by renowned photographers, with a sole focus on the theme of sports. It remains, to this day, the first and only gallery in the world entirely devoted to this subject. He also works as a curator and still occasionally writes articles, but always on the topic of sports photography—his true passion.
His mission is to elevate the genre and demonstrate that certain great sports photographs have the artistic quality to transcend their original context, moving from the pages of a magazine to the walls of a gallery. The subject runs deep: sports is not a limiting theme—you can tell the story of an entire society through it. Every photographer, every style, every unique touch can find expression within it.
A great photograph is always a balance between its aesthetic power and the narrative it conveys. This balance isn't always centered, and that's true of every piece in the gallery's catalogue, which now includes works from over sixty photographers. Some are specialists in sports, others are not, but each offers a personal, rare, and artistic perspective on the unique world of sports.
The gallery fully explores the genre: major events, iconic moments, legendary champions, but also, at times, more unconventional works. Even these must, no matter how striking, have at least an indirect connection to the gallery's DNA—sports.

Antoine ZEGHDAR

Olympic 7s Rugby Champion

RUGBY

Awards:

XV RUGBY
2016: Champion of France -16 years
2017: Champion of France -18 years
2017: European Champion -18 years
2019: French Espoir Champion
2019: World Champion -20 years
2022: French Top 14 Vice-Champion

FRENCH 7s RUGBY TEAM
2019: Silver medal at World Seven series in Vancouver, Hamilton, Hong-Kong, bronze medal Cape Town
2023: Bronze medal at the World Seven Series in Hong Kong
2024: Bronze medal, World Seven Series Vancouver, Gold medal Los Angeles, Silver medal
in Hong Kong
Olympic Rugby 7s Champion at "Paris 2024".
2025 Silver medal at the World Seven Series in Hong Kong

Biography:

Born on May 22, 1999 in Monaco, Antoine Zeghdar is a French XV rugby player playing center and wing for Castres Olympique (Top 14 Club) he is also a member of the French rugby 7s team, and Olympic champion at "Paris 2024".
In 2012, Antoine began playing rugby with the Rugby Club de Monaco and became a member of the Fédération Monégasque Rugby. He took part in the SouthAfrica/Monaco Rugby exchange with the Princess Charlène Foundation. He signed for Stade Niçois in 2013, where he was spotted and entered the Pôle Espoir rugby de Hyères. In 2015, he joined Rugby Club Toulonnais, with whom he was crowned Champion of France -16 years (2016), then Champion of France -18 years (2017) and Champion of France espoir (2019).
At the same time, he was European Champion -18 years (2017) and World Champion -20 years (2019) with the French rugby team.
Lacking playing time at Rugby Club Toulonnais, he opted to sign for Pro D2 side Oyonnax (2019-2021), where he took part in the Pro D2 championship semi-finals.
He returned to the Top 14 in 2021, signing with Castres Olympique until 2025, with whom he became vice-champion of the French Top 14 in 2022.
Antoine is also a French rugby 7s international, taking part in the World Seven Series in 2019, 2020 and 2023. With the French 7-a-side team, he wins a silver medal in Vancouver, Hamilton and Hong Kong in 2019, a bronze medal in Cape Town (2019) and a bronze medal in Hong Kong in 2023.
The year 2024 will be exceptional: he is made available to the French 7-a-side team by his club Castres Olympique to devote himself to preparing for the "Paris 2024" Olympic Games.
In February 2024, he and the French 7-a-side team won a bronze medal in Vancouver and a gold medal in Los Angeles at the World Seven Series. It had been 19 years since the French 7-a-side team had won a World Series tournament. In Hong Kong in April, he won the silver medal.
In July, at the "Paris 2024" Olympic Games, he wins the title of Olympic Rugby 7s Champion. During the Parade of Champions on the Champs Elysées, he is honored to receive the title of "Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur" along with the entire French Rugby 7s team.
At the same time, he is in his 3rd year of the International Bachelor in Business Administration program at EDHEC.