Tony ESTANGUET

Bio

Tony Estanguet is a former canoe slalom champion and the first French athlete to win three Olympic gold medals in three different Olympic Games (2000, 2004, 2012). After a brilliant sporting career — also marked by world and European titles — he became involved in the international sports movement by joining the IOC Athletes' Commission. Following several failed French bids to host the Olympic Games, he boldly launched into the Paris 2024 project, becoming co-chair of the Bid Committee and then President of the Organising Committee after Paris was awarded the Games in September 2017. Under his leadership, the Games took on a new dimension, with major innovations such as open-air city ceremonies, greater public participation, gender parity, environmental responsibility, and broader societal inclusion. Despite major challenges like the pandemic, inflation, and political crises, he stayed the course with remarkable adaptability. The Paris 2024 Games turned out to be a tremendous success, widely praised by both the public and the media, and set new standards for the organization of international events. Through his performance-driven mindset, resilience, and collaborative spirit, Tony Estanguet has become a key figure in both French and global sport. Photo Credits : Paris 2024 / Tom Lefèvre