Marie Rivereau

Marie Rivereau will carry the Olympic torch. This is her story:

Marie, born in 1994, grew up alongside a deaf brother and sister and lost her own hearing at just one year old. From a tender age, she fought to show the world that deafness is not a handicap in and of itself. In 2022, Marie won gold in the pole vault event in the Deaflympics, held in Brazil.

She has also smashed the world record in this event. Marie does not only shine in deaf competitions —she also excels against able-bodied athletes, securing silver in the French championships at the national level and making regular appearances at elite French championships. She stands as an inspiration, proving to young deaf individuals that nothing is beyond reach. Despite her achievements, she cannot compete in the Paralympic Games because her disability does not fit into the current accepted categories. Marie will step into the limelight to carry the Olympic torch.