CEV President Roko Sikirić recently participated in a significant ceremony held at the Élysée Palace in Paris. During the event, French President Emmanuel Macron bestowed the Legion of Honour upon the triumphant members of the men’s national volleyball team, celebrating their gold medal victory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Reflecting on the event, President Sikirić stated, “It was an exceptionally special moment for me and for the entire volleyball community. President Macron dedicated his time to host this reception and ceremony specifically for the men’s national volleyball team, recognizing their historic achievement and contributions to sport. He also commended the leadership of the French Volleyball Federation, particularly President Éric Tanguy, under whose guidance France has seen sustained and unparalleled success.”
This past summer, France achieved a remarkable feat by securing their second consecutive Olympic gold medal in men’s volleyball on home turf, mirroring their historic victory at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This achievement places them alongside the former Soviet Union (1964 and 1968) and the United States (1984 and 1988) as the only nations to win back-to-back Olympic titles in men’s volleyball.
The timing of the reception was notably significant, as it coincided with July 7th, the date designated by FIVB as World Volleyball Day. This alignment made the ceremony particularly poignant and emotionally resonant for all participants.
President Sikirić took the opportunity to discuss with President Macron his ongoing collaboration with the French Volleyball Federation. They explored plans to engage France, including its Ministry of Sport, in joint initiatives aimed at boosting the sport`s profile throughout Europe. As part of this cooperation, the CEV and the French Volleyball Federation are jointly organizing this year’s CEV General Assembly, scheduled for November 8th in Paris.
Furthermore, the CEV President briefly shared his personal connection to France, recalling his time as a professional volleyball player in the country. He also highlighted his current position as the youngest President of a European sports organization, a point President Macron could relate to, having become France`s youngest president in 2017 at the age of 39.
The event at the Élysée Palace also facilitated meetings with other prominent figures, including the French Minister of Sports, Marie Barsacq, and the newly appointed President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), Amélie Oudéa-Castera.
