No fewer than 300 athletes were present last night. The 2012 Sport Victories once again demonstrated that the people of Nice are a strong presence in the sports landscape, and not only are they present, but they are winning!
These 4th Sport Victories showed that athletes from Nice are indeed present on the sports scene and plan to stay: 300 athletes who are World or European champions, French champions, or winners of national cups, across more than 50 disciplines. And who better than Fabien Barel, the great downhill mountain biking champion, to sponsor the festivities?
Champions of Champions
Among these 300 athletes, 9 were distinguished. Three categories were presented: women, men, and parasport. These athletes were chosen by the public and by a jury composed of fifteen local and national sports journalists: Dominique Poulain and Christophe Cessieux (RMC Info), Christophe Josse and Frédéric Viard (Canal +), Jean-Pierre Rivais, Pascal Glos and Benoît Lallement (L’Equipe), David Sandona and Jean-Marc Michel (France Télévision), Laurent Vareille (France Bleu Azur), Philippe Camps, Anthony Boyer and Romain Laronche (Nice Matin), Daniel Ortelli (AFP), and Pierre-Louis Castelli (France Inter).
Like Fish in Water
In the women’s category, Camille Muffat (ONN – Swimming), Charlotte Bonnet (ONN – Swimming), Nastasia Noens (Inter Club – Alpine Skiing), Adeline May (Team Franck May – French Boxing), and Nadia Vigliano (NCCA – Javelin Athletics) were nominated. Camille Muffat logically won the title of female athlete, followed by Nastasia Noens and Adeline May.
In the men’s category, Yannick Agnel (ONN – Swimming), Soufiane Milous (Olympic Judo Nice), Loic Pietri (Olympic Judo Nice), Jean-Pierre Dick, and Baptiste Mourrain (OGCNice – Fencing) competed for the podium. Ultimately, Yannick Agnel once again received the title of male athlete, ahead of Jean-Pierre Dick, who was elected navigator of the year, winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre and the Barcelona World Race, and Loic Pietri.
Benjamin Rolls…
In the parasport category, Benjamin Landier (ANICES – Cycling/Triathlon), Robert Sellem (OGCNice – Fencing), Teddy Damilano (ACSA – Nordic Skiing), Cyril Zimmermann (Nice Sports Loisirs de Sourds – Badminton), and Sylvie Allena (ACSA – Nordic Skiing and Swimming) stood out. Benjamin Landier climbed to the top step of the podium, ahead of Sylvie Allena and Robert Sellem.
…and Guillaume Sinks!
Additionally, Guillaume Néry received a distinction from the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi. The native of Nice cannot compete in the Sport Victories, as apnea is not among the Olympic disciplines. With his French record (-117m) and his title of world champion in constant weight apnea achieved in 2011, the free diver was justly recognized.
