Léon Marchand and Clarisse Agbégnénou: The French Sports Icons of 2024
As the year draws to a close, Léon Marchand has emerged as the favorite sportsman among the French public, according to the latest Odoxa poll conducted for Winamax and RTL. The Toulousain swimmer, who clinched four gold medals at the Paris Olympic Games, received an impressive 44% of the votes, solidifying his status as a national hero. Antoine Dupont and Teddy Riner, both Olympic champions, follow closely behind, each garnering 12% of the votes. Notably, Kylian Mbappé, the Real Madrid striker, has seen a decline in popularity, landing in fifth place with only 4% of the votes, highlighting the dominance of Olympic and Paralympic athletes in the public's favor.
In the women's category, judoka Clarisse Agbégnénou was voted the best sportswoman of the year, receiving 20% of the votes despite a disappointing individual performance at the Olympics where she secured a bronze medal. Agbégnénou's success in the team event, however, resonated with the public. She was followed by triathlete Cassandre Beaugrand with 16% and mountain biker Pauline Ferrand-Prévot with 15%. Emeline Pierre, a para-athlete in swimming, represented the para-sport community by ranking fifth with 6%.
The Impact of the Olympic Games on French Sports
The 2024 sporting year has been significantly influenced by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with 87% of the French population rating the year as
very good
good,
quite bad,
very bad.
The Olympics were cited as the most memorable sporting event of the year by 72% of respondents, overshadowing other events such as the Paralympic Games (38%) and the Tour de France (18%). Interestingly, the Euro football championship, despite the French team's semi-final finish, was only mentioned by 12% of the public as a significant sporting moment, indicating a shift in focus towards Olympic sports.
The survey also revealed that 61% of respondents discovered para-athletes during the Paralympics that they intend to follow in the future, showcasing a growing interest in inclusive sports. Overall, the year 2024 will be remembered as a remarkable period for French sports, with athletes like Marchand and Agbégnénou leading the way in public admiration.
