French skier Clément Noël will carry his nation’s flag into the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina winter Olympics this Friday, a symbolic honour ahead of his attempt to defend his gold medal in slalom skiing. The 26-year-old Noël captured gold at the 2022 Beijing Games and now seeks to make history by becoming the first men’s slalom racer to win consecutive Olympic titles . Beyond the competition, this story highlights the support system behind a champion, including his long-term partner and their life together both on and off the slopes.
Flagbearer Clément Noël Looks to Defend Olympic Slalom Title in Milan/Cortina
Clément Noël has the chance to cement his place in skiing history at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games. The French skier, who captured Olympic gold in Beijing, aims to become the first slalom racer ever to successfully defend his Olympic title. Before the men’s slalom on February 16, Noël will lead the French delegation into the opening ceremony this Friday.
Alongside Chloé Trespeuch, Noël will carry the French flag, an honor he described as incredibly meaningful. “It’s a lot of pride, naturally,” Noël told Eurosport. “But above all, it’s the pride of being elected by my peers, by the Olympic athletes. Knowing that they want me to represent them is a real honor. It’s a highlight of a career to have this honor at the Olympic Games, our biggest competition.”
Noël will be a key leader for the French team, offering guidance to younger athletes. He’ll also have the unwavering support of his partner, Julia Bonhomme, with whom he has been in a relationship for over a decade and with whom he entered into a civil partnership in November 2020.
Former Ski Instructor
Two years younger than Noël, Bonhomme, a native of Puy-de-Dôme, works as a project manager for an event company based in Geneva. The company specializes in mountain-based sports and leisure activities, both in summer and winter. Bonhomme brings firsthand experience to the role, having spent six years as a ski instructor in Courchevel.
Bonhomme speaks highly of her partner, whom she has known since high school. “Clément is exhausting, he’s too perfect!” she said in 2019. “For his baccalaureate, he really worked hard, spending afternoons at my desk from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. non-stop. When he puts his mind to something, he’s super efficient. He has the ability to do well in a short amount of time and he remembers everything he reads.”
