Earlier this week, CEV President Roko Sikirić was among the distinguished guests invited to a special event at the Élysée Palace in Paris. During the ceremony, French President Emmanuel Macron presented the prestigious Legion of Honour award to the members of the French men`s national volleyball team, recognizing their gold medal victory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Reflecting on the occasion, the CEV President called it a “truly special moment” for both himself and the wider volleyball community. He noted that President Macron specifically arranged this reception and ceremony to honor the men`s national team, acknowledging their “historic triumph” and significant contribution to sport. President Macron also paid tribute to the leadership of the French Volleyball Federation, particularly its President Éric Tanguy, crediting him with overseeing France`s continuous and remarkable success in the sport.
Last summer, France achieved a historic feat by winning their second consecutive Olympic gold medal in men`s volleyball on home soil in Paris, following their victory at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This achievement places them in an elite group alongside only two other nations, the former Soviet Union (1964, 1968) and the United States (1984, 1988), who have also secured back-to-back Olympic titles in this discipline.
Holding the reception on July 7 was particularly fitting, as it coincided with World Volleyball Day, making the ceremony even more significant and emotionally resonant for everyone involved. The CEV President used the opportunity to share insights with Mr. Macron regarding his collaboration with the French Volleyball Federation and the joint initiatives planned with the Ministry of Sport aimed at further enhancing the visibility and popularity of volleyball throughout Europe. A concrete example of this cooperation is the upcoming CEV General Assembly, which the CEV and the French Federation are jointly organizing to be held in Paris on November 8 this year.
Furthermore, the CEV President briefly mentioned his past as a professional volleyball player in France and highlighted his current status as the youngest-ever President of a European sports organization. This last point resonated with Mr. Macron, who himself became the youngest President in French history in 2017 at the age of 39. The day at the Élysée Palace also served as a valuable opportunity to connect with other prominent figures, including the French Minister of Sports, Marie Barsacq, and the recently elected President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), Amélie Oudéa-Castera.
#EuropeanVolleyball
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood