Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Melina Robert-Michon and Florent Manaudou elected flag bearers of the French team for the opening ceremony

Les Jeux Olympiques se dérouleront à Paris du 26 juillet au 11 août prochain. MAXPPP – Vincent Isore

The two athletes were elected standard bearers for the French team by the athletes this Thursday, July 11. They will open the tricolor parade during the opening decemony of the Olympic Games, on July 26.

The standard bearers of the French delegation for the opening ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, scheduled for July 26 and August 28, were to be revealed this Friday. Finally, the names of the two elected officials, a man and a woman for each competition, were leaked this Thursday evening.

It is therefore the discobole Mélina Robert-Michon (45 years old) and the swimmer Florent Manaudou (33 years old) who will have the honor of leading the way for the French delegation during the opening ceremony on July 26.

🥈Elle en pleure de joie, Mélina Robert-Michon remporte sa première médaille olympique lors de sa 5e participation aux JO ! Ce lancer de 66,73 m reste le record de France actuel.

📸 © 2016 / Comité International Olympique (CIO) – Tous droits réservés pic.twitter.com/O4sxSgQOcq

— FranceOlympique (@FranceOlympique) July 11, 2024

For these Olympics, they were chosen from a list of thirteen candidates proposed by their federation a month ago. Four candidates have also been proposed for Paralympic Games flag bearers.

A vote from the athletes

Among the candidates for the Olympic Games, Wendie Renard (football), Mélina Robert-Michon (athletics) and Estelle Mossely (boxing) were considered the favorites. On the men's side, Earvin Ngapeth (volleyball), Enzo Lefort (fencing) and Florent Manaudou (swimming) are the names that seemed to stand out. The 622 athletes invited to vote have therefore chosen.

Melina Robert-Michon will participate in her 7th Olympic Games. MAXPPP – Jean-Marc LOOS

Present at every edition of the Olympic Games since Sydney 2000, Mélina Robert-Michon is a world reference in discus throwing. Thanks to remarkable longevity, the French record holder has a string of international podiums, culminating in a silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. it is possible to reconcile the life of a high-level athlete and a fulfilled personal life. These 7th Games, at home, will inevitably have an unforgettable flavor for her.

Alexis Hanquinquant and Nantenin Keita, Paralympic flag bearers

Athlete Nantenin Keita and triathlete Alexis Hanquinquant were also in attendance. designated. Nantenin Keïta is all &agrav; at the same time, a high-level athlete, daughter of Malian musician Salif Keita and ambassador for the rights of people with albinism. She was é medalist Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016.

Alexis Hanquinquant was é sacred six times consecutive world champion! In 2021, he also became a Paralympic champion by climbing to the highest step of the podium during his first participation in the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Manaudou, family of swimmers

Coming from a family of swimmers, Florent Manaudou was immersed in pools from a very young age. In 2012, Laure Manaudou's brother managed to make a name for himself, by winning his ticket to the London Olympic Games, where he would be crowned Olympic champion in the 50m freestyle, after a final of ;rsquo;anthology.

Florent Manaudou won three Olympic medals in the 50m freestyle. MAXPPP – Laurent Lairys

The native of Villeurbanne continued his Olympic harvest during the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, winning three additional medals, and thus becoming the only triple medalist swimmer over his preferred distance, the 50 m freestyle.

The two athletes will guide the French team on the tricolor barge during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

"The French national Olympic and Paralympic and sports committees are proud of this designation and are convinced that these standard bearers will be able to represent France with honor and distinction, all by inspiring their teammates to give the best of themselves", assured the Olympic committee in a press release.