Athletes in the history of the Olympic Games
Since the first Olympic Games of the modern era in 1896, more than half of all French medals have been won by military athletes.
Clarisse Agbegnenou
Warrant Officer Clarisse Agbegnenou has the most impressive record in French women's judo. Several times world champion, she also won two gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, for which she was designated flag-bearer for the French team. She is currently preparing for the next Olympic Games. She joined the Army of Champions in 2014 and serves in the Gendarmerie.
Thibaut Vallette
Lieutenant-Colonel Thibaut Vallette, Olympic champion in the team eventing competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In 1995, while preparing for the entrance exam to the Saint-Cyr military academy, Thibaut Vallette was already practising eventing and decided to focus his military career on equestrian sports. He is now one of the pillars of the French equestrian team.
Martin Fourcade
Lieutenant Martin Fourcade has won a total of seven Olympic biathlon medals, five in gold and two in silver, over three Olympic Games: Pyeongchang in 2018, Sochi in 2014 and Vancouver in 2010.
He is the French athlete who has won the most Olympic medals at the Winter Olympics.
In 2008, he became a high-level defence athlete, joined the Army of Champions and the French Army. He left the institution with the rank of lieutenant after twelve years of an exceptional sporting career.
Anaïs Bescond
Sergeant Anais Bescon, Olympic champion in the mixed biathlon relay at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games. She joined the Army of Champions in 2007 as an Army enlisted personnel, rising through the ranks in line with her sporting achievements. After fifteen years as a top-level defence athlete, she ended her sporting career in 2023 and chose to retrain within the Army. She is now a shooting coach for disabled athletes and will accompany them to the next Paralympic Games.
Florent Manaudou
Sergeant Florent Manaudou, Olympic champion in 50 m freestyle swimming at the London 2012 Olympic Games. In 2009, he became a high-level defence athlete and served as a soldier in the 68th artillery regiment in La Valbonne.
In 2019, he devoted himself to handball and became a reservist with the French military handball team.
He will be one of the four captains accompanying the bearers of the Olympic Flame.
Marie Bochet
Under-contract agent Marie Bochet, quadruple Olympic champion in para-skiing at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games. She also holds four Olympic titles won in Sochi in 2014. She joined the Army of Champions in 2016 as a civilian and stayed there until the end of her sporting career in 2022. In 2023, she was elected co-chair of the new Athletes' Commission of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF).
Perrine Lafont
Sergeant Perrine Lafont (right on the photo), holder of multiple world titles, was at just 19, Olympic champion in moguls (freestyle skiing) at the Pyeongchang Olympic Games in 2018.
She is a high-level sportswoman in the Defence and serves in the French Army.
Michael d’Almeida
Sergeant Michaël d’Almeida, double Olympic track cycling medallist at the Olympic Games in London in 2012 and Rio in 2016. Having put an end to his sporting career, he is now being supported by the Defence Ministry in his transition to the French sprint coaching team.
Gwladys Epangue
Lance Corporal Gwladys Epangue, bronze medallist in taekwondo at the Olympic games in Bejing in 2008.
Alain Bernard
Volunteer assistant gendarme Alain Bernard, triple medallist in swimming at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the year he joined the Army of Champions. He became France's first Olympic champion in 100 m freestyle.
Tony Estanguet
Private 1st Class Tony Estanguet, triple Olympic champion in single canoe at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004, and London in 2012. He is currently Chairman of the 2024 Olympic Games Organising Committee.
David Douillet
Private 1st Class David Douillet, double Olympic judo champion at the Sydney 2000 and Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.
Florian Rousseau
Private 1st Class Florian Rousseau, triple Olympic track cycling champion at the Sydney 2000 and Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.
Jean Galfione
Private first Class Jean Galfione, Olympic pole vault champion at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996.
Antoine Rigaudeau
Private first Class Antoine Rigaudeau, silver medallist with the French basketball team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.