Brigitte Henriques

Brigitte Henriques will carry the Olympic torch. This is her story:

Brigitte carved her path in the football world since her teenage years. She overcame hurdles to kick off her playing career in 1983 and soon emerged as a prominent figure in French women's football. Bagging three French championship titles and also a runner-up's spot, she certainly left her cleat marks on the pitch. Alongside her playing career, Brigitte became a PE teacher.

She ended up working for two decades with individuals in need. She also earned her football coaching credentials, volunteering her time to coach youth teams and contribute to the growth of women's football. Her commitment extended beyond the pitch. She climbed the ranks in football, smashing the glass ceiling as the first female General Secretary of the French Football Federation in 2011, and later as its inaugural female vice-president in 2017. During her tenure, she spearheaded an ambitious feminisation plan, recognised by the Ministry of Sports as the best development strategy in 2012.

Under her leadership, the number of female participants soared from 53,000 in 2011 to 200,000 in 2019, with the promotion of women in leadership roles through the programme Le club de 100 femmes dirigeantes. As the vice-president of the local committee for the 2019 World Cup, she fulfilled a dream long harboured by football fanatics. Her dedication and achievements earned her the Ordre national du Mérite in February 2020.

Then, in June 2021, she made history by being elected the first female president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), heralding a new era for French sport. Brigitte embodies the determination and leadership required to make a lasting impact in the world of sport.