An Unforgettable Evening Celebrating Sports and Emotion
28 November 2024
Public
2026 World Champion
Jade AGBOTON
2026 World Champion
FREEDIVING
Awards:
2026 AIDA World Champion in constant weight with bi-fins in Limassol (Cyprus), with a dive to 98 meters, a new French record.
2026 AIDA World Runner-up in constant weight, with a dive to 101 meters, breaking the 100-meter mark for the first time.
Bronze medalist at the 2026 CMAS World Championships in Roatán (Honduras), setting two French records during the competition.
Member of the French freediving team, competing in international competitions since 2025.
Biography:
At 29, Jade Agboton has emerged this year as one of the biggest breakthrough stars in the world of freediving. On October 2, 2026, in Cyprus, she became the world champion in constant-weight freediving with bi-fins thanks to a dive to 98 meters, setting a new French record. A few days later, she broke the symbolic 100-meter barrier for the first time, winning a silver medal at the world championships with a dive to 101 meters.
Born in Toulouse, Jade divides her time between France and the island of Dominica, a territory renowned for its deep-sea waters. Behind her performances lies a unique journey. The freediver, who has roots in Guadeloupe and Benin, is the first woman of mixed heritage to reach the world podium in freediving.
Her journey also has a symbolic dimension: she hopes to contribute to better representation of Black women in a sport where they remain largely invisible. Known as "The Afrodiver" on social media, she hopes, in particular, to encourage younger generations in the Caribbean to discover the riches of their marine environment and to embrace underwater sports.
Jade Agboton's athletic journey is unusual, to say the least. In 2023, she decided to turn her back on her nightlife and party scene in Nice and fly to the Philippines, where she discovered scuba diving and then freediving. It was a true revelation for the young woman, who saw her life and her outlook on it profoundly transformed. Two years later, she competed in her first freediving competitions, including the French championships. Her meteoric rise led her, as early as the following year, to the top step of the world podium.
As a member of the French national team, Jade Agboton embodies a new generation of female athletes who combine a drive for excellence, personal freedom, and environmental awareness.
Three-time French champion, and three-time Ligue 1 top scorer
Sonny ANDERSON
Three-time French champion, and three-time Ligue 1 top scorer
FOOTBALL
Biography:
Sonny Anderson - beIN SPORTS Consultant, Former Professional Football player
An iconic Brazilian striker, Sonny Anderson made his mark on European football with his goalscoring talent, technical elegance and exceptional reading of the game. Having played for clubs including Olympique de Marseille, AS Monaco, FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais, the player nicknamed "Sonnygoal" established himself as one of the most outstanding strikers of his generation and a particularly popular figure in French football.
His honours include a Swiss league title with Servette FC, three French league titles with Monaco and Lyon, two Spanish league titles with FC Barcelona, as well as a Copa del Rey, a European Super Cup, a Coupe de la Ligue and a Trophée des Champions.
A three-time top scorer in the French league, in 1996, 2000 and 2001, and named Division 1 Player of the Year in 1997, Sonny Anderson left a lasting mark on Ligue 1. At Monaco and Lyon, his goals, style and close relationship with fans made him one of the most popular players of his era, notably playing a key role in Lyon's rise to the top of French football.
Today, as a consultant for beIN SPORTS, he continues to share his expertise of the highest level of the game, his insight into football and his passion for the sport.
Three-time World and Two-Time European Medalist
Quentin ANTOGNELLI
Three-time World and Two-Time European Medalist
ROWING
Awards:
Three-time world medalist in coastal rowing
Double European medalist in coastal rowing
Finalist in the 2022 World Cup
19th at the Olympic Games in Paris
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.
Three-time downhill mountain bike World champion
Fabien BAREL
Three-time downhill mountain bike World champion
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.
French women's 800-meter record holder
Anaïs BOURGOIN
French women's 800-meter record holder
TRACK AND FIELD
Awards:
French record in the 800 m: 1'55''65 in 2026
French champion in the 800 m in 2025
French indoor champion in the 800 m in 2024
Bronze medalist in the 800 m at the 2024 European Championships
Semifinalist in the 800 m at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
Semifinalist in the 800 m at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo
5 appearances on the French national A team
Biography:
Anaïs Bourgoin is a French athlete who specializes in the 800-meter race. Born in 1996 in Vendôme, she discovered track and field after competing in triathlons and joined the Talence sports-study program at the age of 14.
After several years of competing in track and field while pursuing her professional career with the National Police, Anaïs decided in 2023 to devote herself fully to elite-level competition. This decision marked a turning point in her career.
In 2024, she made her mark on the international stage by winning the bronze medal in the 800 meters at the European Championships in Rome, after setting a new personal best of 1:58.65 in the semifinals. A few weeks later, she qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where she reached the semifinals of the 800-meter race.
The 2025 French 800-meter champion, Anaïs has continued to excel since rising to the highest level. In June 2026, she delivered an exceptional performance, setting a new French record of 1'55''65 in the 800 meters and becoming the first French woman to break the 1'56 barrier.
Her career is also marked by this dual path as both a top-level athlete and a police officer, which is an integral part of her story and her identity.
Former Driver
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.
Three-time Olympian, World Championship team Medalist
Marine BOYER
Three-time Olympian, 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.
Two-time Olympic medalist and European champion
Elizaveta BRACHT
Two-time Olympic medalist and European champion
VOLLEYBALL
Biography:
Elizaveta Bracht, OLY, is a three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic silver medallist, sports executive, entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Maison du Volley. Following her playing volleyball career, she built an international career across UEFA, FIVB and the wider sports industry, spanning commercial strategy, marketing and social impact.
Today, she advises sports organisations and develops initiatives empowering athletes and women in sport, while creating new opportunities for female coaches, leaders and the next generation through Maison du Volley.
Professional Mountain Biker / Film Director
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:
Kilian Bron - Enduro and Freeride Mountain Biker and representative of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee
Kilian Bron is a French mountain biker, adventurer and filmmaker, renowned for his unique approach to cycling and the mountains.
Through his expeditions, he explores some of the world's most spectacular landscapes, pushing the boundaries of his discipline to tell the story of the mountains in a different way. His bike becomes both a means of exploration and a powerful storytelling tool: every route, encounter and challenge gives rise to images that invite audiences to discover landscapes and cultures that are often inaccessible.
At the crossroads of sport, adventure and filmmaking, Kilian creates and directs projects that combine physical commitment, exploration and storytelling. From high-altitude mountains to the wildest terrains, his aim is above all to share a personal and authentic vision of his surroundings.
His expeditions are therefore about much more than sporting achievements: they tell a way of experiencing the mountains, driven by curiosity, freedom, commitment and respect for the environment, and shaped by an exceptional sense of creativity and visual detail.
Olympic bronze medalist in the team event in 2026
Lea CASTA
Olympic bronze medalist in the team event in 2026
SNOWBOARD CROSS
Awards:
Overall winner of the 2024-2025 World Cup
Bronze medalist in the team event at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games
14 podium finishes, including 6 victories, in the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup
Three-time Junior World Champion
Biography:
Born on February 10, 2006, in Thonon-les-Bains (Haute-Savoie, France)
Member of the French snowboard cross team
Club: Les Deux Alpes (Isère)
Léa Casta is a French snowboarder who has been a member of the French national team since the 2022-2023 season.
She grew up in Haute-Savoie and discovered competitive snowboarding at a club in Vinzier that was created specifically for her.
She dominated the youth divisions before making a name for herself on the international stage with a third-place finish at the World Cup in Les Deux Alpes in December 2022, when she was just 16 years old.
Gradually establishing herself among the world's top competitors, Léa won the overall title in the 2024-2025 World Cup at age 19.
At the same time, she claimed three consecutive titles at the Junior World Championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
En 2026, la Française remporte à 20 ans sa première médaille olympique à Milan Cortina lors de ses premiers Jeux en décrochant le bronze lors de l'épreuve par équipes avec Loan Bozzolo. Elle se classe également 3e du classement général de la coupe du monde.
Jet-Ski Champion MT Racing Monaco
Lisa CAUSSIN-BATTAGLIA
Jet-Ski Champion MT Racing Monaco
JETSKI
Awards:
Mohammed VI Cup Champion in the Women's Runabout 1100 class
Mohammed VI Cup Runner-up in the Mixed Runabout 1100 class
Australian National Championship Champion in the Mixed Pro-Am Ski 1500 class
Oceania Championship Runner-up in the Pro-Am Women's Ski GP
Runner-up in the IJSBA European Cup in the Pro-Am Women's Ski GP
Currently ranked 2nd in the IJSBA World Series (2 races remaining) in the Pro-Am Women's Ski GP
Biography:
Lisa Caussin-Battaglia is a top-level Monegasque athlete in the world of motorboating, specializing in hand-powered jet skis and passionate about motorsports and challenges.
From a very young age, she was drawn to music (the violin) and theater, so she discovered jet skiing relatively late in life and by chance during an activity offered as part of the Pass'Sport Culture program in 2011, before entering the competitive scene in 2012. She made her mark on the international stage for the first time in 2015 thanks to her determination and her unconventional background.
As the IJSBA European Cup champion, the UIM Alpe Adria Tour champion, runner-up in several international competitions—including the IJSBA World Series—and ranked second in the 2020 UIM world rankings, she represents Monaco in the world's top jet-ski competitions. She competes for Team MT Racing Monaco, led by Michel Torre, as part of the Monaco Team PowerSports association. She also competed as a boat driver in the E1 Series championship in 2024 and continues to compete in international competitions around the world.
With a master's degree in philosophy and education and a bachelor's degree in sports science (STAPS) with a specialization in sports training, Lisa now combines her athletic career with coaching and media work as a columnist. She is also studying Monegasque law as part of a university certificate program (DIU), while continuing to develop her professional and athletic endeavors.
A dedicated athlete and a unique individual, Lisa's journey has been fraught with challenges, particularly due to her neurodivergence (dyslexia, ADHD, high-functioning autism). Far from viewing these traits as obstacles, she has turned them into strengths and advocates for an approach to sports based on passion, pushing one's limits, adaptability, perseverance, and mentoring others.
Through her competitions, projects, content, and coaching activities, she hopes to give people a behind-the-scenes look at her daily life as an athlete, share her experiences, and encourage everyone to pursue their passions, believe in their goals, and dare to move forward—even when their path doesn't fit into any predefined categories.
Olympic champion and three-time world champion
Steven DA COSTA
Olympic champion and three-time world champion
KARATE
Awards:
Olympic Champion Tokyo 2021, -67 kg
Three-time World Champion Madrid 2018, Dubai 2021, Budapest 2023, -67 kg
Three-time European Champion Montpellier 2016, Guadalajara 2019 and 2023, -67 kg
Junior World Champion Guadalajara 2013, -68 kg
World Games Champion Wrocław 2017, -67 kg
European Team Champion 2022
Bronze medalist at the World Championships Linz 2016, individual and team
U21 World silver medalist Jakarta 2015, -67 kg
Biography:
Steven Da Costa was born on January 23, 1997, in Mont-Saint-Martin, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department. A kumite specialist in the -67 kg weight class, he has established himself over the years as one of the leading figures in French and international karate.
His career has been marked by exceptional consistency at the highest level. A European champion in 2016, he won his first world title in 2018, before achieving his greatest success at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where he became an Olympic champion. He then cemented his dominance by winning two more world titles, in 2021 and 2023, as well as two more European titles, in 2019 and 2023.
With one Olympic gold medal, three world titles, and three European titles, Steven Da Costa has one of the most impressive track records in the history of French karate. He announced his retirement from competitive sports in September 2026, at the age of 29, beginning a new chapter after a career marked by major international successes.
Five-time world champion
World and European Champion, Olympic Silver Medalist
Siraba DEMBELE-PAVLOVIC
World and European Champion, Olympic Silver Medalist
Biography:
Siraba Dembélé-Pavlovic - World and European Handball Champion, Olympic Silver Medalist
Siraba Dembélé-Pavlovic is one of the leading figures in French handball. A member of the French national team for 15 years, she made 291 appearances for Les Bleues and scored 848 goals. Captain of the national team for nearly a decade, she established herself as one of the leaders of a generation that left a lasting mark on the history of French women's handball. She has also been inducted into the French Handball Federation's Hall of Fame.
With the French national team, she won the 2017 World Championship and then the 2018 European Championship on home soil, as captain. Her international achievements also include a silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, two World Championship silver medals in 2009 and 2011, and two European Championship bronze medals in 2006 and 2016.
Her club career took her to the highest level in France and abroad, including Denmark with Randers, North Macedonia with Vardar Skopje, Russia with Rostov-Don and Romania with CSM București. Over 10 seasons in the EHF Champions League, she scored 346 goals and was twice named Best Left Wing of the competition, in 2015 and 2018. She also won the EHF Cup with Rostov-Don in 2017, as well as several domestic titles in France, North Macedonia and Russia.
Since the end of her playing career, Siraba has remained closely involved in the world of handball. She works notably as a consultant for beIN SPORTS, where she draws on her experience at the highest level and offers her expert insight into the game.
Today, as head of Rise Up Agency, she supports professional handball players in managing their careers. Having made her mark on the court, she now shares her experience and passion with the next generation.
World Champion, Four-time French Champion
Camille DEPUISET
World Champion, Four-time French Champion
HANDBALL
Awards:
French National Team
2023 World Champion
Bronze medalist at the 2025 World Championship
2017 U19 European Champion
With Metz Handball
French Champion in 2023, 2024, and 2025
French Cup Champion in 2023, 2024, and 2025
Champions League Final Four in 2024 and 2025
With Brest Bretagne Handball
French Champion in 2026
Champions League Final Four in 2026
Biography:
Born on October 19, 1998, in Dijon, Camille Depuiset is a French international handball goalkeeper. She came up through the ranks in Dijon and began her professional career in Toulon before joining Bourg-de-Péage and then Metz Handball in 2022.
She quickly achieved success with Metz, winning three consecutive French Championships and three consecutive French Cups, and reaching the Final Four of the Champions League twice. Called up to the senior French national team for the first time in 2022, she became a world champion the very next year with Les Bleues, before winning another world medal, a bronze, in 2025.
In 2025, Camille joined Brest Bretagne Handball and, in her very first season, won a fourth consecutive French championship title while also reaching the Champions League Final Four.
A goalkeeper known for her determination, her ability to rise to the occasion in big games, and her mindset, Camille has also distinguished herself individually in the Ligue Butagaz Énergie, earning several Player of the Month and Goalkeeper of the Month awards, a spot on the podium for the Player of the Year award, and the award for the best save of the season.
French NASCAR pilot
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.
European Vice 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.
French international player, Winner of the Golden European League and the Challenger Cup
Eva ELOUGA
French international player, Winner of the Golden European League and the Challenger Cup
VOLLEYBALL
Awards:
Winner of the 2022 Golden European League
Winner of the 2023 Challenger Cup
Quarterfinalist at the 2025 World Championship
Participant in EuroVolley 2026
Biography:
Born in 1999, Eva Elouga is a French international volleyball player who plays as a middle blocker.
A member of the French national teams since her youth, she has gradually established herself on the senior French national team. She played a key role in Les Bleues' victories in the Golden European League in 2022 and the Challenger Cup in 2023—two major milestones in the recent progress of French women's volleyball.
A member of the French national team that reached the quarterfinals of the 2025 World Championship, Eva also competed in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League and then the 2026 EuroVolley. After a season in Béziers, she joined the Racing Club de Cannes for the 2026-2027 season.
Former international footballer, three-time French league champion, three-time French Cup winner
Olympic Medalist, World, European and French Champion, Former Minister of Sports
Olympian
Olympic Athlete
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.
French Indoor Champion and French Champion
Sabrina GAZZA
French Indoor Champion and French Champion
PARA-ROWING
Awards:
Team gold medal at the 2026 French Indoor para-rowing Championships
Bronze medal in the 500-meter race at the 2026 French Indoor para-rowing Championships
Gold medal at the 2026 French para-rowing Championships
Biography:
As the youngest of three sisters, I grew up surrounded by my two older sisters, who instilled in me from a very early age a fighting spirit, determination, and the ability to never give up in the face of adversity. That strength of character would go on to become one of my greatest assets.
Three years ago, my life was turned upside down. After a serious boating accident, I lost both my legs. In an instant, everything changed: my body, my sense of self, my plans, and the life I had imagined.
Faced with the unthinkable, I made a choice: to live, to rebuild my life, and to move forward.
So I made a promise to myself: "I'm going to prove that life goes on."
But I'm not just fighting for myself. I fight every day for my children. They are my greatest source of motivation. I want to instill in them the strength to believe in themselves, to never give up, and to pursue their dreams, no matter what challenges they face. I want to prove to them that you can fall down, get back up, and go even further.
A year and a half ago, an experience profoundly changed the course of my life: rowing, which I discovered at the Société Nautique de Monaco. On the water, I rediscovered freedom, strength, and a passion for hard work and pushing myself to new limits. Rowing has become much more than a sport: it's a driving force, a challenge, and a true rebirth.
The results came quickly: French team champion and bronze medalist in the 500-meter indoor race at the Pierre-de-Coubertin Stadium in Paris, followed by the French doubles champion in the 2,000-meter race in Mâcon. A meteoric rise that has only just begun.
In December, I will proudly represent the Principality at the World Indoor Championships in London.
And behind every training session, every race, and every medal lies a greater goal: to represent Monaco at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Because a competition can change a life, but it never determines what we will do with it.
European champion, World Basketball Championship medalist, former NBA player
Mickael GELABALE
European champion, World Basketball Championship medalist, former NBA player
BASKETBALL
Awards:
2013 European Champion
3rd place at the 2014 World Championships
2011 European Runner-Up
Multiple-time European Champion
Biography:
Mickaël Gelabale is a French international basketball player who plays the small forward position. A native of Guadeloupe, he made a name for himself at a very young age with Cholet Basket before joining the prestigious Real Madrid. At just 21 years old, he won the Spanish championship in 2005 and made his debut that same year with the French national team, with which he won a bronze medal at EuroBasket.
In 2006, his talent took him to the NBA: he was selected 48th overall in the draft by the Seattle Supersonics. After two seasons in the United States and a serious injury that kept him off the court, he returned to France with his determination intact. With Cholet, he won the French championship in 2010 and was named MVP of the finals. The following season, playing for ASVEL, he was named the best French player in Pro A.
His career then took him to Belgium, Russia, Croatia, Spain, and then back to France, where he added a second championship title to his resume with Limoges in 2015. But it was with the French national team that he experienced his greatest moments: after winning a silver medal at Euro 2011, he became European champion in 2013, before taking bronze at the 2014 World Cup and EuroBasket 2015.
After the 2016 Rio Olympics, Mickaël Gelabale turned the page on his time with the French national team, following more than a decade at the highest level. Beyond his list of achievements, he embodies the values of perseverance, modesty, loyalty, and team spirit. Away from the court, he is also preparing for life after his career by training in culinary arts, notably at the Institut Paul Bocuse, a testament to his constant desire to reinvent himself.
French international player, Paris 2024 Olympian
Lucille GICQUEL
French international player, Paris 2024 Olympian
VOLLEYBALL
Awards:
Winner of the 2022 Golden European League with the French national team
MVP of the 2022 Golden European League
Winner of the 2023 Challenger Cup with the French national team
Winner of the 2021 Champions League with Conegliano
2021 Italian Champion
Winner of the Italian Cup and the Italian Super Cup
Two-time winner of the French Cup with RC Cannes in 2016 and 2018
Biography:
Born in Rennes in 1997, Lucille Gicquel is a French international volleyball player who plays as an outside hitter. Trained in the French national youth system, she signed her first professional contract with RC Cannes at just 17 years old and won two French Cups with the team.
After several seasons in France, she continued her career abroad, notably in Italy with Conegliano, where she won the Champions League, the Italian Championship, the Italian Cup, and the Italian Super Cup in 2021. She then played in Italy and Turkey before returning to Racing Club de Cannes, where she is now the captain.
A regular member of the French national team, Lucille won the Golden European League in 2022—where she was named Most Valuable Player—and then the Challenger Cup in 2023. In 2024, she competed with Les Bleues at the Paris Olympics, marking the first time in the history of French women's volleyball that the national team had participated in the Olympics.
Former professional player
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.
Olympic, world and European champion
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.
Olympic medalist
Marlène HARNOIS NIDECKER
Olympic medalist
TAEKWONDO
Awards:
Olympic medalist
Twice European Champion
Biography:
An Olympic medalist and two-time European taekwondo champion, Marlène Nidecker is a Knight of the National Order of Merit and holds an MBA from the International University of Monaco.
A French-Canadian, she is a founding member of the Heart Angel Foundation and a representative of the Club des Champions de la Paix with the international organization Peace and Sport. For more than ten years, she has participated in field missions and international initiatives focused on sports, youth, and peace.
Her commitment has led her to work in various countries, at international sporting and institutional events, as well as at the United Nations.
Stage winner of the Tour de France
Hugo HOULE
Stage winner of the Tour de France
CYCLING
Awards:
Winner of the 23rd stage of the 2022 Tour de France.
Six appearances in the Tour de France.
Pan American time trial champion in 2015
Two-time Canadian time trial champion
Two-time Olympic team member
Biography:
Hugo Houle became the first cyclist from Quebec to win a stage of the Tour de France in 2022 in Foix, and this was a major event in the Belle Province.
A professional cyclist since 2011, he has ridden for some of the biggest teams, from AG2R La Mondiale to Astana, via Israel Premier Tech and now Alpecin Premier Tech, and, as a model team-mate, has worked for leaders such as Romain Bardet and Mathieu Van der Poel.
At 36, he is one of the most experienced riders in the professional peloton and has just competed in the World Championships 'on home soil' in Montreal.
World Champion
Olympic Medalist
Camille JEDRZEJEWSKI
Olympic Medalist
SHOOTING
Awards:
Olympic silver medallist, Paris 2024 (25 m pistol)
European silver medallist, 2023
World Cup winner, 2022
Junior World silver medallist, 2021
Biography:
Born on 25 April 2002 in Compiègne, Camille Jedrzejewski started out in modern pentathlon before switching to sport shooting, believing she would have a better chance of competing in the Olympic Games by choosing this discipline. Time would prove her right.
At the 2021 Junior World Championships, Camille made a name for herself by finishing second in the 25-metre pistol event. Her career was launched. In 2022, she secured her first World Cup victory, again in the 25-metre pistol event, and won two silver medals at the Mediterranean Games (in the individual and mixed team 10-metre pistol events, a category in which she would go on to reach third place in the world rankings).
European runner-up in the individual event in 2023 and third in the mixed team event (in the 10-metre pistol), then another silver medallist in both the individual and team events at the European Games (again in the 10-metre event), it was in the 25-metre event that she won, on 3 August 2024, the silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games. A stepping stone to gold, which she will be aiming for in Los Angeles in 2028.
World Champion
Professional basketball player - French National Team, WNBA
Lou LOPEZ-SENECHAL
Professional basketball player - French National Team, WNBA
BASKETBALL
Awards:
5th overall draft pick 2023
NCAA Player of the Year 2022
3-time NCAA All-American
Rookie of the Year 2019
Biography:
Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised in France, Lou Lopez-Sénéchal embodies a new generation of French female basketball players with a global outlook.
Trained in Grenoble, she followed an unconventional path, choosing to focus on club play rather than a sports-academy program. After graduating from high school, she joined a basketball academy in Ireland before continuing her development in the United States, where she gradually rose through the ranks of college basketball. After four standout seasons at Fairfield, her transfer to the prestigious University of Connecticut (UConn) fully revealed her potential and made her one of the NCAA's most prominent players, showcasing her ambition, adaptability, and high standards.
In 2023, Lou was selected fifth overall in the WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings—one of the highest draft picks ever achieved by a French player. Despite a knee injury that delayed her debut in the American league, she continued to develop her skills in Europe while joining the French national team. Her outside shooting, basketball IQ, and international experience quickly became valuable assets to the team. In 2025, she also made her debut in 3x3 basketball while representing France. She quickly found her footing in this discipline and set her sights on earning a spot on the team for the upcoming Olympic Games.
Through a career path that has taken her from Mexico to France, Ireland, and the United States, Lou has developed a distinctly international profile, reinforced by her fluency in several languages. She embodies values of openness, resilience, hard work, and boldness, while projecting a modern, cultured, and approachable image. This positioning, combined with her studies in management and marketing, fuels her ambitions beyond the trading floor, particularly in the field of mentoring.
Former French international soccer player and 2018 World Cup champion with Les Bleus
Steve MANDANDA
Former French international soccer player and 2018 World Cup champion with Les Bleus
FOOTBALL
Awards:
3 League Cup titles with Olympique de Marseille in 2010, 2011, and 2012.
French champion in 2010 with Olympique de Marseille
Winner of the Champions Trophy in 2010 and 2011 with Olympique de Marseille
World champion in 2018 with Les Bleus
Biography:
Steve Mandanda is a former French international soccer player who played as a goalkeeper from 2004 to 2025. A product of Le Havre's youth system, he is a legend at Olympique de Marseille, where he holds the club record for most appearances (613 matches).
After competing in the 2008 European Championship and the 2010 World Cup, he reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 and then the final of Euro 2016 with the French national team, before winning the 2018 World Cup and finishing as runner-up in the 2022 World Cup. He has 35 caps and has played in seven major tournaments with Les Bleus.
After twenty professional seasons, the last three of which he spent with Rennes, he announced his retirement in the summer of 2025.
In May 2026, he co-authored the book *Les jours d'après* with Mathieu Coureau, a journalist at *Ouest-France*, published by Flammarion.
He is currently pursuing a degree in Professional Sports Club General Management at the CDES of the University of Limoges.
International football player
Nicolas NKOULOU
International football player
Biography:
Nicolas Nkoulou - Peace Champion for Peace and Sport
Former captain of the Indomitable Lions, winner of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, and an iconic player for AS Monaco, Nicolas Nkoulou launched his foundation dedicated to Cameroonian youth in 2026.
As a Peace Champion, he is using his experience and career to promote sport as a tool for dialogue and development.
International football player - Ivory Coast national team
Christopher OPERI
International football player - Ivory Coast national team
FOOTBALL
Awards:
Round of 16 at the World Cup 2026
Quarterfinalist at the Africa Cup of Nations
Several years in Ligue 1
Biography:
Born in Abidjan in 1997, Christopher Opéri is an Ivorian international left back whose career exemplifies perseverance, discipline, and ambition. He came up through the youth system at SM Caen, making his professional debut there in 2016 in the top flight before joining Châteauroux, where he began to show his potential. His rise to prominence continued during his stint in Belgium with La Gantoise, followed by a move to Le Havre AC, where he played a pivotal role in the club's promotion to Ligue 1 in 2023. His performances, consistency, and quality crossing have established him as one of the most reliable fullbacks in the French league. In 2025, he took another step forward by joining the Turkish league with İstanbul Başakşehir.
This progression at the club level naturally opened the door to the Ivory Coast national team, for which he made his debut in 2024. He went on to participate in his first Africa Cup of Nations and his first World Cup in the United States. His rapid integration into the national team is a testament to his development and his ability to excel at the highest international level.
Both on and off the field, Christopher inspires an entire generation through his dual Ivorian and French heritage. His interest in fashion and his understated communication style give him an authentic, modern, and approachable image. Given his background and personal aspirations, Christopher hopes to use his voice to inspire others to pursue their passions and bring people together through soccer.
French Olympic Committee President
European Champion in 4x400m
Estelle PERROSSIER
European Champion in 4x400m
TRACK AND FIELD
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.
Monegasque Open Water Swimmer
Lisa POU
Monegasque Open Water Swimmer
Biography:
Lisa Pou - Monegasque Open Water Swimmer and representative of the Monegasque Olympic Committee
Flag bearer for the Principality of Monaco at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Lisa Pou reached a new milestone in her career at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, where she won Monaco's first-ever world medal in swimming: a historic bronze.
Far more than just an achievement, this medal confirms the hard work she has put in and strengthens her confidence ahead of the next major challenges. Lisa Pou is already looking towards a new goal: the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
French international player
Lilou RATAHIRY
French international player
VOLLEYBALL
Awards:
French national team since 2026
Participant in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League
Participant in EuroVolley 2026
Biography:
Born in 2004, Lilou Ratahiry is a French player who plays as a outside hitter for Racing Club de Cannes.
After a career marked by several stages of development and a serious knee injury, she is gradually returning to the top level while playing for Cannes. Her performances earned her a spot on the French senior national team in 2026.
In her first international summer, Lilou quickly established herself on the French national team during the Volleyball Nations League, before being selected to compete in EuroVolley 2026. At just 22 years old, she is part of the new generation poised to play a key role in the development of French women's volleyball.
Former Croatian Basketball International - Former NBA Player and 2009 Mediterranean Games Gold Medal
French Champion
Photographe de sport
Catherine STEENKESTE
Photographe de sport
Biography:
Catherine Steenkeste - Sports Photograph
Born in Lille, France, Catherine Steenkeste, known as "Cat," is a pioneering figure in
sports photography. After eight years in Los Angeles working for NBA Photos, covering
NBA Finals and All-Star Games among other major events, she has continued her
international career across Europe, Africa and the United States since 2005.
As an independent photographer, she works with sports leagues, federations, teams and
athletes, as well as Getty Images, UEFA and Reuters, and has worked with the NBA
since 1997. Her photographs are represented by Galerie Jean-Denis Walter. In 2024,
she received the UJSF First Prize for a photograph taken at the Paris Olympic Games.
Professional rugby player - Champion's Cup (European Club Cup) winner
Madosh TAMBWE
Professional rugby player - Champion's Cup (European Club Cup) winner
RUGBY
Awards:
Two-time Top 14 runner-up—2024, 2025
Two-time Champion's Cup (European Cup) champion—2025, 2026
Biography:
A native of South Africa, Madosh Tambwe has established himself as one of the most explosive wingers of his generation. After honing his skills at the highest level of rugby in South Africa, he has been playing in France since 2022, competing for some of the top clubs in the TOP 14.
Born in the DRC, Madosh grew up in South Africa, where he discovered rugby. His career on the field has been marked by steady progress all the way to the highest level. After playing for the top South African franchises, he joined the French league at age 25. His speed, agility, and numerous tries quickly made him a recognized player. With Union Bordeaux-Bègles, he played a key role in the club's rise on the national and European stages, ultimately helping it win the European championship. This title was the culmination of a career built on high standards, hard work, and consistency.
A spectacular player capable of turning the tide of a match with a single play, Madosh captivates both rugby enthusiasts and the general public alike. His offensive playing style and effectiveness have earned him significant media attention, while his career journey between Africa and Europe gives him an international dimension. After shining at Montpellier and UBB, Madosh continues his TOP 14 journey with the Bayonne club. He is thus among the leading players in the French league.
Beyond his athletic achievements, his personality inspires others with its authenticity. His journey perfectly embodies adaptability, excellence, discipline, and an openness to the world.
Former national basketball player
Ali TRAORE
Former national basketball player
BASKETBALL
Awards:
Two French championship titles
Several national cup and tournament titles won in France and Germany
A silver medal at EuroBasket 2011 with the French national team
Participated in the 2012 London Olympics.
Named French Pro A MVP in 2010
Selected five times for the LNB All-Star Game.
Biography:
Ali Traoré is a former French international basketball player whose journey combines a distinguished career in elite sports, media experience, and a commitment to promoting and developing the sport.
Trained in France, he became a professional player and competed for many years with French and European clubs. His career led him to participate in the biggest national and European competitions and to establish himself as one of the most experienced big men in French basketball.
With the French national team, Ali Traoré competed in several major international basketball events: two European Championships, one World Cup, and the 2012 London Olympics. These experiences with the national team represent one of the highlights of his career and allowed him to compete at the highest international level alongside several generations of French players.
After his playing career, Ali Traoré branched out into the media. He became a sports consultant for television and appeared on various shows and broadcasts dedicated to basketball. He thus put his experience at the highest level to work in analysis and commentary, offering an approach that is at once technical and accessible, informed by his background as a professional and international player.
This media experience also allowed him to develop a new dimension to his profession: telling the story of the sport, analyzing its challenges, and sharing the realities of elite-level competition with the public.
At the same time, Ali Traoré is dedicated to sharing his experience and participating in various projects related to sports development. In particular, he joined the Monaco Basket Association, where he now helps coach the professional team competing in LF2.
From professional player to French national team member, then to consultant and sports development advocate, Ali Traoré has built a career centered on a common thread: basketball, performance, and mentoring.
Olympic Champion
Tony YOKA
Olympic Champion
BOXING
Awards:
Olympic Super-Heavyweight Champion at Rio 2016
2015 Amateur World Champion
Bronze medalist at the 2015 European Games
2010 Youth Olympic Champion
Professional boxer since 2017
Biography:
A leading figure in French boxing, Tony Yoka established himself very early on as one of the best super-heavyweights of his generation. After winning the Youth Olympic Games in 2010, he became the amateur world champion in 2015, before winning the gold medal the following year at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the +91 kg weight class.
He turned professional in 2017, continued his career in the heavyweight division, and won the European Union heavyweight title in 2021. Now competing in the Queensberry promotion, which brings together the world's best heavyweight boxers, he is one of the leading figures in French boxing.
First a world champion and then an Olympic champion in the span of just a few months, Tony Yoka has inspired a generation of French boxers with his career at the highest level and remains one of the most recognizable figures in the sport in France.
Multiple French 200m champion
Ryan ZEZE
Multiple French 200m champion
TRACK AND FIELD
Awards:
3 French 200m titles (2023, 2024, 2025)
French 100m champion in 2023
French indoor 200m champion in 2022
Silver medallist at the 2022 European Championships in the 4 x 100m relay
2 appearances at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024
3 appearances at the World Championships: 2022, 2023 and 2025
World Championship finalist in the 4 x 100m in 2023 and 2025
Biography:
Ryan Zézé is a French athlete who specialises in sprinting, primarily the 200 metres and the 4 × 100 metres relay. Born in 1998 in Louviers, he has gradually established himself as one of France's leading sprinters over the past few seasons.
A regular member of the French national team, Ryan Zézé has now competed in two Olympic Games - in Tokyo in 2021 and in Paris in 2024 - as well as several World Championships. In particular, he took part in the 4 × 100-metre relay finals at the World Championships in Budapest in 2023 and in Tokyo in 2025.
At national level, he has particularly excelled in the 200 metres. He has won several French championship titles, notably in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, as well as an indoor title in 2022. He also won a European silver medal in the 4 x 100-metre relay at the 2022 European Championships in Munich.
Beyond his individual performances, Ryan Zézé is part of a generation of French sprinters who aim to establish themselves permanently at the very highest international level. His experience of major competitions, his consistency on the national stage and his role within the French team make him a key figure in French sprinting.