This time, the sun was out. The final point of the Paris 2024 Games, the “Parade of Champions” took place on the Champs-Élysées to the cheers of 70,000 people.
After the parade and the superb passage of the Patrouille de France, 118 athletes and parathletes made their way to a circular stage deployed around the Arc de Triomphe. It was here that they were decorated, with a progressive rise in rank.
Lined up facing the crowd, with the Arc de Triomphe behind them, the French medallists were called one by one. When their names were called, they were all given an ovation that matched their performance.
In the name of the French Republic, the first were awarded the National Order of Merit, the following, Olympic or Paralympic champions, the Legion of Honor. Félix Lebrun, Flora Vautier, Aurélie Aubert and Léon Marchand received their distinction from the hands of Emmanuel Macron himself.
In terms of applause, Toulouse’s Léon Marchand and Antoine Dupont once again put in a great performance, even if Alexis Hanquinquant is not far behind in terms of notoriety.
The boss of the French blind football team, who scored the decisive penalty against Argentina, Frédéric Villeroux was decorated by Didier Deschamps. The French rugby 7s team stood out by performing its now traditional choreography in front of the crowd.
Five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner had the honor of being elevated to the rank of Commander of the National Order of Merit by Emmanuel Macron. Before that, he was entitled to a small tie adjustment from the President of the Republic.
The ceremony ended with a sublime performance by Axelle Saint-Cirel, surrounded by musicians and with the Arc de Triomphe as a backdrop. The mezzo-soprano sang La Marseillaise, having sung the national anthem from the roof of the Grand Palais during the Olympic opening ceremony.
- RMC Sport
