This week, CEV President Roko Sikirić participated in a distinguished ceremony at the Élysée Palace in Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron awarded the Legion of Honour to the men`s national volleyball team, recognizing their gold medal victory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The CEV President shaking hands with French President Emmanuel Macron, with FFVolley President Eric Tanguy standing next to them.
President Sikirić described the event as “a truly special moment for me and for the entire Volleyball family.” He noted President Macron`s deliberate effort to host this reception specifically for the men`s national team, acknowledging their historic achievement and contributions to sport. Macron also commended the leadership of the French Volleyball Federation, particularly President Éric Tanguy, crediting him for France`s sustained and remarkable success.
This victory marked France`s second consecutive Olympic gold in men`s volleyball, mirroring their success at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Games. With this achievement on home soil, France joins an elite group, alongside the former Soviet Union (1964, 1968) and the United States (1984, 1988), as the only nations to win back-to-back Olympic titles in the sport.
The CEV President exchanging views with Mr. Macron and other high-ranking authorities attending the event.
The reception`s timing on July 7 was significant, coinciding with World Volleyball Day, as designated by FIVB. This made the ceremony particularly meaningful and emotional for all attendees.
President Sikirić utilized the occasion to discuss his collaboration with the French Volleyball Federation and ongoing plans to engage the French Ministry of Sport in joint initiatives. These projects aim to boost volleyball`s presence throughout Europe. A key example is the upcoming CEV General Assembly, jointly organized by CEV and the French Federation, scheduled for November 8 in Paris.
A group picture with all those involved in the ceremony held at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
During the event, the CEV President also briefly shared his past experience as a professional volleyball player in France and highlighted his current position as the youngest president of a European sports organization. This resonated with President Macron, who, at 39, became France`s youngest president in 2017.
The visit to the Élysée Palace also facilitated meetings with other prominent figures, including French Sports Minister Marie Barsacq, and Amélie Oudéa-Castera, the newly elected President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF).
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