February 15, 2002: Isabelle BLANC wins Olympic gold medal in 100% French final
While all victories are beautiful, some have a particular flavor and winning Olympic gold has never been a privilege, nor a due for the world’s best athletes accustomed to podiums in their discipline. Indeed, world titles are often won over a season, race after race, match after match, before reaching the Grail. It is the victory of work, preparation, regularity and strategy. The Olympics are different, they don’t leave a mistake, to hope to win, you have to be there on D-Day and win. A victory where mental strength takes up even more space to hope to tuttut the ancient gods of Olympus in the spotlight of the whole world. In sport, nothing is written and the Olympics have experienced many surprises.
Many contenders and few elected, only 36 French athletes have won gold since the creation of the Winter Olympics in 1924.
The universality and media coverage of the Olympic Games make the event so special. The games go far beyond sport, the athletes become, for 15 days, the embodiment of their country. Their faces, their performances, their words are a reflection of a nation in the eyes of a world and stimulate a sense of benevolent patriotism. The Olympics create a closeness and a strong bond between peoples. And for the athletes, representing their country at the Olympics is an immense honour and the ultimate recognition of their efforts.
Snowboarding arrived at the Olympic Games in 1998 in Nagano, far from the notoriety of other disciplines (alpine skiing, hockey, skating, etc.) and stars like Herrmann Mayer. However, France immediately distinguished itself as one of the major nations of this emerging sport. Isabelle BLANC falls on a edge fault a few meters from the finish leaving her rival Karine Ruby won Olympic gold in Nagano. No doubt this episode strengthened his determination and will to win. Four years of gnawing at his brakes, working hard to make French sport history and trying to win in Salt Lake City.
This time, millions of French follow the battle between Isabelle BLANC and Karine RUBY, defending champion for gold … and a French double. A great moment of sport built on a sporting rivalry that pulled them both up and helped develop the image of snowboarding.
Isabelle BLANC was Olympic champion in Salt Lake City on February 15, 2002 after a very close race. It is the victory of a passion, work and an iron mind! At the first notes of the Marseilles, the emotion is at its height to celebrate this French double.
His victory was built on faultless preparation, day after day, on the slopes of Salt Lake City, and on a mind of steel. Facing the title holder was certainly a source of extra motivation in her quest for Olympic gold.
Following our meeting at an exhibition at the CDOS (Departmental Olympic and Sports Committee) of Isère, I created for olympic champion Isabelle BLANC, a work to celebrate and immortalize her victory at the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City in 2002. The words energy, speed and power guided my brushes to design this unique work made on canvas.
She is now a ski and snowboard instructor at the Alpes D’huez
It also manages guest rooms in Bourg d’Oisans at the foot of the mythical route of the Alpes d’huez, the centre of the Tour de France.
More information on http://www.room-to-rent-bourgdoisans.com/