Team ENGIE

_{Axel : © Sailing Energy, Elodie : © Fédération Française de Pentathlon, Alex : © Eric Bellande, Wilfried : © Stephane Kemp, Luka : © International Judo Fédération, Madeleine : © Stéphane Bonnet, Pierre : © RiBLANC, Pauline : © Laurent Masurel, Raphaël : © Sebastien Besancenez, Poema : © Sailing Energy et Fabien Lamirault : © Arnaud Mellah.}

Among them (from left to right, starting from the top line), Axel Mazella (Kitesurfing), Elodie Clouvel (Modern Pentathlon), Alex Caizergues (Kitesurfing), Wilfried Happio (400 m hurdles), Luka Mkheidze (Judo), Madeleine Malonga (Judo), Pierre Le Coq (iQFoil windsurfing), Pauline Ado (Surfing), Raphaël Beaugillet (Tandem para-cycling), Poema Newland (Kitesurfing) and Fabien Lamirault (Para table tennis). 

More than 100 athletes supported by the Group over 30 years

Initially through its two historical sports – women’s tennis and athletics – the Group has, since 1992, fostered a culture of supporting high-level athletes, but above all young prospects, most of whom have become leaders in their sport, such as Nathalie Tauziat, Amélie Mauresmo, Jean Galfione, Stéphane Diagana, David Douillet, just to name a few. 

Since 2014, ENGIE supports athletes in their preparation for the Olympics through the Performance Pact

The Group decided to reorient its Team towards athletes whose only goal is participating in the Olympics and Paralympics. As such, ENGIE was amongst the first companies to join the Performance Pact, an initiative launched in late 2014 by the Ministry of Sport to optimise the performance of French teams at the 2016 Rio Games. The Group therefore sponsored a Team of 5 athletes: in-depth support that is as much a matter of territorial proximity as it is of helping to develop the sport. Amongst them were Hélène Defrance and Pierre Le Coq, who both won a bronze sailing medal, and generated very strong support from employees, both for their preparation and at the Brazilian event.

ENGIE renews its commitment through the Tokyo 2020 Performance Pact 

In 2018, ENGIE once again renews its support for approximately ten French athletes in their preparation for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, in line with its long-term commitment to French sport, for which it has been an active partner for 30 years.

Nine of these athletes shone bright in Tokyo, winning a total of seven medals, three of which were gold. 

• For his very first competition, Luka Mkheidze (Judo -60 kg) fulfilled his childhood dream, earning a bronze medal on the Japanese mats. Arriving in France in 2010, having fled the Georgian war, Luka touched the hearts of France by bringing home the French delegation’s first medal.
• Madeleine Malonga (Judo -78 kg) confirmed her favoured status, earning a silver medal in the singles and a gold for mixed teams. Two medals for her first competition - well done, Mado!
• Cassandre Beaugrand (Triathlon) was forced to drop out following a flat tyre in the Singles race. However, she got back on track a few days later, brilliantly sweeping the bronze in the Mixed Relay. 
• For the first surfing competition in the Olympic Games, Pauline Ado (Surfing), unfortunately succumbed to defeat in the last sixteen against the world’s third champion. 
• Wilfried Happio (400 m hurdles) was able to get through the series. Unfortunately, the final step proved too high for ENGIE’s Lille ambassador, who left Japan with precious experience in preparation for the Paris games.
• Although she was hampered by foot pain, Elodie Clouvel (Modern Pentathlon) still managed to come sixth in the competition, not too far from the podium and the first Frenchwoman to do so, an example of her fighting spirit and determination.
• Fabien Lamirault (Para table tennis) retained his two championship titles both in the Singles and Doubles. This takes him to a total of six Paralympic medals, including four golds across three participations.
• Raphaël Beaugillet and François Pervis (tandem para-cycling) earned a bronze for the kilometre standing start, achieving their best time. A fabulous first Paralympic competition for Raphaël and a dream conclusion to François’ career in Japan, as he also became the fourth athlete in history to win both Olympic and Paralympic medals.

In parallel, the Group is supporting two great hopes of French kitesurfing, who have dreams of shining in Paris in 2024 for their first participation in this sport:

• Poema Newland, a member of the French team, Silver medallist at the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games (YOG 2018), is confirming every hope, becoming the 2021 European Champion.
• Axel Mazella, one of the very best French kiters, triple European Champion (2019, 2020, and 2021), and Gold Cup World Champion for Kitefoil.

These two young hopefuls are accompanied by confirmed athletes Pierre Le Coq (sailing), bronze surfboard medallist at the Rio Olympics (2016), who is training for the 2024 IQ Foil competition, and Alex Caizergues (Kitesurfing), 4x world champion and world speed record holder, whose goal is to beat the world speed record on water. 

How does ENGIE choose its athletes?

Choosing athletes is done in collaboration with the Ministry and with our regional delegates, to support the Group’s territorial influence and address challenges in major regions, as part of a proximity-based approach that supports the local environment. Chosen with ENGIE’s Regional Delegates, selected athletes become ambassadors for our actions, as a way of promoting regional environments.

To be eligible for the Performance Pact, athletes must fulfil the following two prerequisites:

• be listed by their federation as a high-level athlete and Olympic or Paralympic hopeful in their sport, and potentially contend for a medal
• be in a financial situation that prevents them from training without worrying

As a partner of French sport for 30 years, ENGIE thereby reaffirms its unwavering support to young French athletes at the heart of our territories, supporting their performances and revealing their talents.