Marie Bochet (para alpine skiing) and Thomas Walgraef (boccia) are elected co-presidents of the new Athletes’ Commission of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee. They will carry the voice of the 15 members from the Paralympic movement who make up this commission.
At the end of April 2023, the CPSF Athletes’ Commission was officially created with the election of 14 athletes or former athletes from summer and winter Paralympic federations and non-Paralympic federations members of the CPSF, to which will be added a representative of the CNOSF High Level Athletes Commission. This commission, whose main objective is to serve as a link between the CPSF and the athletes, has the mission of making the voice of the athletes heard in the decisions of the institution.
Marie Bochet is an emblematic female figure in French alpine para skiing. 8 times Paralympic champion, she has participated in the Paralympic Winter Games 4 times and won the big globe 9 times in the general classification of the world cups.
Still in sporting activity for the future winter season, she is notably a member of the Athletes’ Council of the French Handisport Federation, a member of the Paris 2024 Athletes’ Commission and a member of the IPC Athletes’ Committee. Marie Bochet said she was “very happy” with this election and is eager to “return the favor to this Paralympic movement which [him] has given so much”.
Thomas Walgraef is assistant to boccia player Samir Vanderbecken.