The seventh edition of the Sports Victories crowned Charlotte Bonnet, Jérôme Ardissone, and Cécile Hernandez-Cervellon as the best athletes of the year 2014. During an evening full of emotion and surprises, the nearly full Palais Acropolis resonated with the cheers for those who proudly represent Nice across the globe.
“Sports is about learning from the youngest to the great professionals. When the results are there, it’s the most beautiful reward for me,” this phrase was signed by Christian Estrosi, deputy mayor of Nice, in his opening speech launching the evening of Niçois sports.
The atmosphere in a three-quarters full Palais Acropolis escalated minute by minute thanks to DJ Jay-Style, who also presents the triathlon and the Nice-Cannes marathon events. It felt like a nightclub with numerous children and adults dancing in the room before the main ceremony began. There were even small competitions between the two most represented clubs, namely Cavigal and Olympic Nice Natation.
The seventh edition was presented by Christophe Josse, a journalist at Be In Sports, supported by Christian Estrosi who warmly welcomed the patron of the 2014 edition, tennis player Gilles Simon. After a great presentation of the future “City of Sports” in the Plaine du Var and a speech from the mayor addressed to all the Niçois athletes, the evening truly began with a tribute to the motorcycle champions “made in Nissa” with David Casteu (Rally-Raid specialist), Fabio Quartararo (future Moto 3 pilot, absent at the ceremony), and especially Andy Verdoïa, only 12 years old and reigning Spanish champion in his category. The young Niçois, who came with his new motorbike, received a warm ovation from the audience.
The evening continued with a tribute to Camille Muffat, who had retired from swimming since July 2014, followed by a special award for Justine Tonso, 16, double world champion junior in ski mountaineering. The Sports Victories were also an opportunity to highlight the leaders without whom nothing would be possible. René Bougnol (basketball), Alain Griguer (volleyball) received trophies from the hands of Christian Estrosi, as did the family of Jean-Luc Bailet (OGC Nice football and handball) who passed away last November.
The highlight of the evening was certainly the presentation of the Sports Victories for the year 2014. Among the women, Charlotte Bonnet succeeded her teammate and friend, Camille Muffat, who was crowned the previous year. “I am picking up the baton from Camille, a true friend in life. It is an honor for me to receive this award and a wonderful gift, two days after celebrating my 20th birthday,” the winner smiled. The swimmer received a beautiful tribute from her coach, Fabrice Pellerin: “It’s never trivial, at her age, to receive such a prize. It’s symbolic but she takes on the legacy of Camille Muffat. This kind of ceremony gives positive energy and confidence. This award will help her in her development.”
Among the men, there was no surprise with the crowning of Jérôme Ardissone, world champion in full contact WKA and WKN category. The 26-year-old Niçois did not hide his joy at the end of the evening: “The year 2015 is starting well with this trophy, which represents recognition of the work done and the efforts made. As a Niçois, it’s a great honor to be elected by this audience.” Finally, in the parasport-adapted sport category, it’s the snowboarder Cécile Hernandez-Cervellon who wins the grand prize. Vice-Olympic Champion in Sochi, in February 2014, the Niçoise was absent from the ceremony as she was on the other side of the world competing in a World Cup event.
