The town of La Roche, Switzerland, celebrated Olympic gold medalists Mathilde Gremaud in freestyle skiing and Marianne Fatton in ski mountaineering on Thursday evening. Residents turned out in force to honor the athletes’ achievements at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The official reception for the champions drew an estimated 700 to 800 people to the town’s sports and cultural center, located near the La Berra ski lifts. Attendees marched from the village church with torches before gathering for the event.
Gremaud, 26, successfully defended her Olympic title in slopestyle, winning gold on February 9 in Livigno. A subsequent injury sustained during training unfortunately prevented her from competing in the big air competition a few days later.
Fatton, 30, made history by becoming the first Olympic champion in ski mountaineering sprint on February 19 in Bormio. The Neuchâtel native also secured a silver medal on February 21 in the mixed relay alongside teammate Jon Kistler.
Government Officials in Attendance
Both athletes received congratulations from local and cantonal authorities. Philippe Demierre, President of the Council of State, was present alongside colleagues Romain Collaud, Minister of Sports, and Didier Castella. Bertrand Gaillard, the town’s mayor and a member of parliament, also attended the celebration.
This wasn’t the first time Gremaud has been honored by the town of La Roche. In March 2023, she received an official reception after winning gold in slopestyle at the World Ski Championships in Bakouriani, Georgia.
Thursday’s ceremony was particularly emotional, as Fatton, originally from Neuchâtel, has made La Roche her training base. Her presence has expanded the profile of the Fribourg region within the sport.
