Ahead of the highly anticipated Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, Air Liquide has announced that it will support six athletes through financial sponsorship.
The roster of Air Liquide-backed athletes now comprises six individuals, equally divided between three women and three men, hailing from three different nations. These athletes are poised to compete across five Olympic and Paralympic disciplines:
- Ezra Frech: para athletics (US)
- Kgothatso Montjane: wheelchair tennis (South Africa)
- Yohan Peter: wheelchair fencing (epee) (France)
- Margaux Rifkiss: fencing (saber) (France)
- Thibaut Rigaudeau: para triathlon (France)
- Laura Tarantola: rowing (France)
“With just a few months to go before Paris 2024 and as a corporate citizen, it was important for Air Liquide to support the athletes who will be competing in the Games,” said François Jackow, CEO of Air Liquide.
The financial backing is intended to help ensure that athletes from all walks are life and across all sports can take part in the Games with ‘genuine peace of mind’.
“To this end, it is vital that they have the resources and support they need to devote as much time and energy as possible to their sporting activities.”
Last month, the industrial gas major unveiled a new look for its hydrogen refuelling station at Place de l’Alma in Paris, which will act as a showcase of the network of stations deployed in Ile-de-France.
The new look hydrogen refuelling station at Place de l’Alma. ©Air Liquide
According to the company, this network will supply renewable hydrogen to Paris 2024’s official fleet, which includes 500 hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai cars.
“Paris 2024 represents a fantastic opportunity to accelerate the development and the adoption of hydrogen, a key solution to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, in particular for intensive transport,” said Armelle Levieux, member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee overseeing hydrogen activities.
Earlier this year, Air Liquide launched a joint venture with TotalEnergies called TEAL Mobility, which aims to accelerate the development of hydrogen for heavy duty trucks by offering a network of 100 stations across Europe during the next decade.
