By means of decrees published this Thursday in the Official Journal, all French medal-winning athletes from the Milan-Cortina Winter Games have been decorated. They are now expected at the Elysée.
It is a tradition at the end of the Winter or Summer Games. As the events in Milan-Cortina ended just over a month ago, all French athletes who won a medal have been decorated. Indeed, this Thursday’s Official Journal includes three decrees “promoting and appointing as an exceptional title” for the Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit. Four years after being knighted following two Olympic titles in Pyeongchang, Quentin Fillon Maillet is now being promoted. Victorious in the sprint, mixed relay, and men’s relay on the track in Antholz-Anterselva, the native of Champagnole has been officially made an officer of the Legion of Honor.
Cécile Hernandez, on the other hand, followed in the footsteps of a certain Teddy Riner. Double Paralympic champion in snowboard cross, the native of Perpignan has been made a commander of the National Order of Merit, having been promoted to officer in March 2022. This is now the rank of Arthur Bauchet, Paralympic gold medalist in super combined and giant slalom as well as silver in the downhill, and Guillaume Cizeron. His ice partner Laurence Fournier Beaudry has been made a knight of the Legion of Honor, as well as all other Olympic and Paralympic champions. This includes Thibault Anselmet and Emily Harrop for ski mountaineering.
As for biathlon, Camille Bened, Fabien Claude, Emilien Jacquelin, Lou Jeanmonnot, Oc&e MIC Leone Michelon, Eric Perrot, and Julia Simon have been decorated, as well as Karl Tabouret for para cross-country skiing. As for silver and bronze medalists, they have been made knights of the National Order of Merit. This distinction has thus been granted to Loan Bozzolo, Léa Casta, Mathis Desloges, Victor Lovera, Aurélie Richard, Théo Schely, Jules Segers, and Romane Miradoli. These medalists are now expected on April 29 in the halls of the Elysée Palace to officially receive these decorations. A ceremony reminiscent of the one held at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe at the end of the 2024 Paris Games.
