Thomas Belaud

Thomas Belaud will carry the Olympic torch. This is his story:

Thomas is the embodiment of Olympic values. A basketball enthusiast, he first made a name for himself on the court before pivoting to coaching in 2011, marking the beginning of an incredible journey. Thomas propelled the club's flagship women's team, then at the DF3 level, to unprecedented heights.

In just a decade, he steered the club up seven divisions to reach the National 2 tier, a remarkable achievement. At the same time, he played a pivotal role in launching the new sports club LMB (Lamboisières Martin Basket) in 2018, amalgamating several historic regional clubs and contributing to the growth of the organisation, which now boasts over 450 licence holders. Thomas is more than just a standout coach. He also epitomises true leadership, rallying teams and volunteers around a spirit of solidarity and sharing. Match nights are moments of celebration and joy, where families come together in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Respect lies at the heart of his ethos, both on the court and in everyday life. Consistently fair-minded with his team and rivals alike, Thomas is a staunch advocate for values such as respect and integrity, not least when it comes to fostering referee training for the club's young members. Thomas is not only dedicated to the game, but also to ensuring basketball is accessible to everyone. He hosts wheelchair basketball exhibition games for and has pioneered a basketball-for-health programme, catering to people from toddlers to the elderly.

Furthermore, the Nationale 2 women's team, formed from local players trained in-house, perfectly exemplifies Thomas's dedication to fostering basketball within the local community. His passion and leadership have significantly boosted the club's profile and impact, cementing his role as a central figure in his town and its surroundings.