Camille Serme

"For me, the Olympic Games are first and foremost about track and field and especially the 100 meters, which is the major event and the most watched in the world. I don't have a specific memory in mind, but I love watching the Olympics on TV, I get excited for any sport!”

Sébastien Bonmalais

"For me, the Olympic Games are mostly about track and field, and Usain Bolt winning those gold medals on 100 and 200 meters again and again. What really stuck to my mind is the way his country went crazy with him and for him. I also think about Teddy Riner, I got really excited during his final against a Russian guy (author's note: Alexander Mikhaylin, in 2012 in London).” 

Usain Bolt and his Jamaician fans (Photo credit: The Telegraph) 

Marie Stéphan

"Two things come to my mind when I think about the Olympic Games: Alain Bernard's gold medal on 100 metres freestyle in Beijing in 2008, as well as this of the 4×100 metre freestyle relay in London in 2012. These were two exceptional wins for France!”

The French 4×100 metre freestyle relay won the gold medal in London in 2012 (Photo credit: AFP / C.Simon) 

Manuel Paquemar

“There are so many things which come to my mind. But the one that really stayed with me is the gold medal of the French horse-riding team in 2016. I started to follow this sport after watching a documentary about Kévin Staut. Besides, the way it went was incredible, because they had very little chance to beat the United States. But Astier Nicolas and his horse Piaf de B'Neville made the French camp go wild after a stunning performance on the obstacle course. I think I'll remember that moment for all my life. It was all the more important as it was the first medal for France. Since the beginning of the Olympics the phrase “The important thing in life is not the triumph, but the fight,” could be applied to the French athletes …”

Énora Villard

"The Olympic Games are a sporting event that I truly love to watch, and there are so many sportsmen and women and events that it is difficult to have one image in mind. For me the latest one would be the triple gold medal of Martin Fourcade in biathlon at the Winter Olympic Games. I find he's an athlete which one can be easily be attached to. His constant focus, his accuracy and the way he pushes his limits are rather impressive. I was also emotional when Tony Yoka and Estelle Mossely won together in boxing in 2016. Generally, I also like the relay events. Beyond the athletic performance, I have to say that I have a soft spot for beautiful stories!”

Victor Crouin

"I've always been excited about the Olympic Games, whether the summer or the winter ones. I've always watched this event with admiration, while being sad that the sport I love was not featuring. Nevertheless, as a good patriot I am happy every time a French athlete wins a medal. Teddy Riner is undoubtedly one of the French athletes I followed the most during the Olympic Games. He's an icon for any sportsperson, for several reasons: first of all, when he's the favorite he lives up to the expectations almost all the time. And secondly, when he wins he does it with style. it. Florent Manaudou's win in the 50 meters freestyle a few years ago was also an emotional moment, and the French handball team is always impressive to watch. It's difficult to choose a specific memory because the magic of the Olympic Games is there every time a French athlete wins or gets a medal.”

Teddy Riner is one of the biggest icons in French sport (Photo credit: AFP/Jack Guez)

Ninon Lemarchand 

"The picture which pops into my head is when the French gymnast Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos won last summer. (author's note: this was actually at the European Games in Glasgow). That's right I am getting confused … But I really enjoyed watching her performance, the way she won was superb!”

Paul Gonzalez

"The picture I have in mind when it comes to the Olympic Games is Teddy Riner's gold medal in Rio in 2016.”

Baptiste Masotti

“When I think about the Olympic Games, I see Florent Manaudou's win in 2012 (in London) while his sister was commentating, it was a beautiful moment.”

Baptiste Masotti (on the right) with swimmer Florent Manaudou, but on a squash court (Photo credit: Baptiste Masotti) 

Chloé Mesic

"What always amazed me with the Olympic Games is the impressive opening ceremony, with all the people involved (whether it's on site or behind the screens), as well as the fact that the whole world unifies around sport. We all speak the same language, we are all equal, and may the best wins! I also remember the joyful celebration of the French team in horse-riding - another sport that I love - in 2016.”

The horse-riding French team, gold medalist in Rio in 2016 (Photo credit: FFE/PSV)

Enzo Corigliano

"When I think about the Olympic Games, I see Teddy Riner's medal in Beijing in 2008. It was the first time that I was watching the Games on TV. And since I got the chance to meet him a couple of times at INSEP, that's the first thing which comes into mind.”

Élise Romba

“When I think about the Olympic Games, what immediately pops into my head is not necessarily an athlete, because it is difficult to identify yourself with someone when it's a different sport. I rather see a podium, because it represents the reality of the sportspersons as well the emotions produced after winning the most prestigious of sporting events. That's why we hope to have the chance to be part of it, in order to be able to feel the same things than these Olympic medalists.”

Grégoire Marche

“When I think about the Olympic Games, I especially have in mind all the opening ceremonies, with the French delegation of athletes entering the stadium. It would be a dream come true to experience this one day!”

The French delegation at the opening ceremony in Rio in 2016 (Photo credit: Le Point)