winter olympics games milano-cortina 2026
Méribel Behind Its Champions
The Milan–Cortina Winter Olympic Games have now come to a close after several weeks of intense competition, bringing together the world’s finest athletes across the iconic disciplines of winter sports.
This global event once again set the Alps alight, celebrating performance, commitment, and the fundamental values of Olympism.
In Méribel, the emotion was especially strong: several athletes from the valley proudly represented Team France, embodying excellence and a deep passion for elite sport.
We extend our warmest congratulations to all the athletes who took part, and in particular to the French delegation and Méribel’s representatives, who once again demonstrated the talent and determination rooted in the French mountains.
Milan Cortina: Olympic Games at the Heart of the Alps
Hosted between Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, these Winter Olympic Games highlighted the European Alps as an exceptional territory for mountain sports.
The competition venues offered a spectacular setting, where technical excellence met the raw beauty of alpine landscapes.
Milan–Cortina continues a strong Olympic tradition while embracing a contemporary vision of the Games: sustainability, sporting legacy, and environmental responsibility.
These commitments resonate deeply within alpine regions, where the mountains inspire both humility and responsibility.
Athletes from Méribel at the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympic Games
Richard Jouve – Cross-Country Skiing, Classic Sprint
A member of the Méribel Sports Club, Richard Jouve remains one of France’s leading sprint specialists in cross-country skiing. Powerful, explosive, and consistent, he is a recognized international reference in sprint events.
Accustomed to major competitions, the first French athlete to win the Sprint Crystal Globe (2021/2022), and already an Olympic medalist in PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022, he once again proudly represented France in Milan–Cortina.
Age: 32
Discipline: Cross-country skiing – sprint
Club: Club des Sports de Méribel
Youri Duplessis-Kergomard – Ski Cross
A specialist in ski cross, Youri Duplessis-Kergomard is one of the most dynamic figures on the international circuit. Having started skiing in Méribel at a young age, he embodies the commitment, speed, and tactical precision that define this spectacular discipline.
With more than 16 World Cup podium finishes, including 4 victories, he has established himself as one of the leaders of the French team. His participation in the Milan–Cortina Games marks an important milestone in his international career.
Age: 29
Discipline : ski cross
Club : Club des Sports de Méribel
🎉 Fan Zone Jeux Olympiques 2026 à Méribel
Throughout the Games, Méribel came together to support its champions. A Fan Zone set up on the Chaudanne snow front, at the foot of the iconic Roc de Fer slope, allowed residents and visitors to experience the key Olympic moments together.
Shared emotions, collective encouragement, and local pride defined these special days, reflecting the valley’s deep connection to its athletes.
The Paralympic Games Also in the Spotlight
Méribel’s Olympic commitment continued during the Paralympic Games with the participation of Victor Pierrel, athlete of the Méribel Sports Club, competing in seated para-alpine skiing.
Vice World Champion in seated slalom, Victor Pierrel embodies courage, determination, and resilience. A key member of the French para-ski team, he remains a powerful source of inspiration for the entire valley.
Age: 34
Discipline: Para alpine skiing – sitting category (LW11)
Club: Club des Sports de Méribel
From Milan–Cortina to the 2030 Winter Olympic Games in the French Alps
As Milan–Cortina closes this Olympic chapter, a new horizon is already emerging: the 2030 Winter Olympic Games will be held in the French Alps.
This milestone marks a strong return of the Winter Games to a historic territory of mountain sports, symbolizing continuity between heritage, transmission, and future ambition.
Driven by emblematic figures of French sport and by the collective energy of alpine regions, this momentum is already shaping the next chapter of Olympic history.
In Méribel-Mottaret, the 2030 perspective feels natural. The French mountains are once again positioning themselves at the heart of major international sporting events, showcasing their excellence in hospitality, infrastructure, and alpine culture.
Athletes’ Homecoming and the Handover in Albertville: The Official Launch of Alpes 2030
The return of the athletes to Savoie is accompanied by a highly symbolic moment: the handover of the Olympic flame in Albertville.
This powerful gesture officially marks the launch of the French Alps 2030 Winter Olympic Games. More than a ceremony, it represents a true passing of the torch between generations, between alpine territories, and between two chapters of Olympic history.
In Albertville, host city of the 1992 Winter Games, the flame returns to a land rich in Olympic memory before ushering in a new era for the French mountains.
The French Alps 2030 journey has now officially begun.
