The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will bring together thousands of athletes from around the world, from July 26 to August 11. 100 days before the opening ceremony, Sport à Caen is honoring the participants from Caen (Calvados) who will work, behind the scenes, to make this global event a success.
Phryge, the mascot, it’s them
Phrygethe funny mascot of the Olympic Games, is made in part from Ifs, near Caen. More precisely by the company Gipsy Toys, in the soft toy market for 40 years. With a Breton company, Doudou et Compagnie, the Norman company therefore shares the design of the soft toys. In total, these are approximately two million pieces which were ordered by Paris 2024. 60% of the volume was entrusted to Gipsy Toys. The soft toys are made in China, but the creation, coloring, marketing and packaging are done in France. Soft toys from the ifoise company are sold in supermarkets, on the Gipsy Toys website as well as on the Paris 2024 website.
Thomas Jolly, the “ceremonial gentleman” of the Olympics
Thomas Jolly is not from Caen strictly speaking, since he was born in Rouen in 1982. But the Norman studied theater at theUniversity of Caenat the beginning of the 2000s. He also went through the Actéa company (La Cité/Théâtre), renowned for the quality of its training. Founder of La Piccola Familia, he stood out in the early 2010s, directing William Shakespeare’s Henry VI trilogy. A pharaonic undertaking which will lead to the creation of a 17-hour long play, presented at the Théâtre de Caen in November 2015. In short, large-scale projects do not scare him, such as dusting off the musical Starmania that it was successfully completed in 2022. Defender of a demanding and popular show at the same time, Thomas Jolly was appointed artistic director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Paris Olympic Games in September 2022. As such, he is therefore responsible for organizing the highly anticipated parade of delegations on the Seine. A mission commensurate with his immense talent.
Hilde van Herwijnen, from SM Caen to the Olympics
After the Women’s Football World Cup in 2019, the Men’s European Football Championship in 2021 and the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2023, Hilde van Herwijnen takes the direction of Paris 2024! The young woman, who arrived in Caen for her studies almost ten years ago, is a liaison officer at the Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. She is site coordinator BMX, track cycling and mountain biking. Hilde van Herwijnen also has the distinction of being one of the major players at Stade Malherbe in Division 3. A central defender, she often has the captain’s armband this season.
William Messi, the conductor of breakdancing
President of the ON2H association (national hip-hop organization), Caen native William Messi has long worked to ensure that break dance, one of the components of hip-hop culture, makes its debut in the Olympic concert. Once this admission was obtained, in December 2020, it made sense for William and his friends from ON2H to participate in the big party.
We should organize events around breakdancing competitions, to highlight urban cultures.
In the majestic setting of the Place de la Concorde, under the gaze of the Obelisk, the Caennais will be able to measure the progress accomplished by their favorite discipline. But he will already be thinking about what’s next. »We are working on the legacy that the Games will leave, he continues. We hope to set up a state diploma for urban dance teachers.”
Lightback, the Rolls of physiotherapists for athletes
Invention of Caennais Thomas Sérafinpersonal physiotherapist of Real Madrid footballer Eduardo Camavinga, the Lightback will be present at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Convinced of the benefits of this device for its athletes, the French Athletics Federation bought several of them, in order to make them available to athletes. Pascal Martinot-Lagarde, Kévin Mayer and even hurdle specialist Jeff Erius have already used it. “The Lightback has a very beneficial effect on hip mobility, so it is very important for hurdles,” explains Alexandre Dars, from the company Seraf Physio Pro, which produces the device in Colombelles. An articulated knee brace allows, by varying the tightening, to stretch the muscle in areas that are usually unreachable.
Céline, experienced volunteer
In terms of a major international event, this will not be his baptism of fire. Living in Caen and employed at Laboratoires Gilbert, Celine Bellier has already experienced, as a volunteer, the Rugby World Cup, matches of the French basketball and handball team. After applying in spring 2023, she was selected to volunteer as a leader serving athletes in the basketball tournament. It can be mobilized from July 18 to August 12 in Lille and Paris. A very involved volunteer in Caen within the Marathon de la Liberté, she will have to act as a link between the team managers and the organization.
Author Bio
A connoisseur of the digital marketplace and a master of the written word, this 30-year-old English expert brings to the table a wealth of knowledge rooted in the sale of digital products and a passion for blogging that resonates with an audience seeking expertise and insight in the online realm.
Their insights are drawn from hands-on experience navigating the intricacies of e-commerce and content creation—leading the forefront of digital innovation and communication. Whether it’s breaking down complex marketing strategies or sharing tips on how to captivate an online audience, their work stands as a testament to a career built upon successful digital engagement and savvy business acumen.
Stay tuned to absorb compelling content from a voice that not only understands the digital landscape but also shapes its future through every blog post and digital strategy.
