IOC honours Laurent Nuñez and Nicolas Ferrand with the Olympic Order for their exceptional commitment to the Olympic Gam

30 August 2024 – At a moving ceremony held in Paris on Friday, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach presented the Olympic Order to Laurent Nuñez, the Paris Prefect of Police, and Nicolas Ferrand, Executive Managing Director of SOLIDEO, for their exceptional contribution to the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

Laurent Nuñez – ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for everyone

Nuñez was awarded the Olympic Order in recognition of his crucial role in making the Games in Paris safe and secure. As the Prefect of Police, he successfully managed the security challenges of a city under tension whilst maintaining a safe and festive environment for the millions of visitors from all over the world. Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, an IOC member and Chair of the IOC’s Coordination Commission for the Games, stressed Nuñez’s “quiet strength”, his ability to provide reassurance in the face of growing geopolitical challenges and his decisive leadership in coordinating a monumental security operation.

“Your quiet strength and commitment enabled Paris to welcome the world in a safe and festive context,” said Beckers-Vieujant. “The professional, engaging and considerate attitude of the security forces reflected your personality and leadership.”

The Prefect expressed his gratitude by emphasising that this distinction honoured the whole of the Police Prefecture: “I am accompanied today by all the directors and heads of department who helped to make the security for the Olympic Games a success, from the police to the fire brigade and the gendarmerie. We are a big team which is used to managing large events, but the challenges we had to overcome together for the Paris 2024 Games were unprecedented in terms of volume and complexity.

“Under my authority, the teams planned and managed the security of the Games throughout the Île-de-France region, in close collaboration with the Organising Committee and the IOC’s security advisers. This collective work allowed us to show our ability to stage events of such a size, despite the doubts expressed by certain critics in recent years. We proved that we know our job. I dedicate this distinction to all those who contributed to this monumental success. Thank you for this honour, which is for the whole Prefecture of Police.”

Nicolas Ferrand – exemplary and unprecedented management of the works for the Games

Ferrand was honoured for his key role as head of SOLIDEO, the body responsible for delivering the Olympic infrastructure. Under his leadership, the work was done on time, on budget and in line with the standards of both quality and ambition determined from the outset. Beckers-Vieujant praised Ferrand’s commitment, emphasising his ability to rise to the complex challenge of delivering what had to be built for the Games without any budget overruns or delays.

“On time and on budget, in line with the most ambitious of specifications, you delivered on a complex mission order, and passed the test with flying colours,” said Beckers-Vieujant during the ceremony. “Your personal commitment to the well-being of the workers and to minimising accidents was unique and exemplary.”

Upon being presented with the Olympic Order, Ferrand expressed his thanks: “I am deeply touched by this distinction, which recognises not just my work, but also that of the 30,000 people involved with the Olympic construction. Back in 2018, Tony Estanguet inspired us by saying that sport could change everything. He pushed us to make these Olympic Games not just a successful event, but also a means to leave a lasting legacy, not just for Seine-Saint-Denis and Paris, but for the whole construction industry.

“The 15 days of the Games were extraordinary, but they also represent seven years of joint efforts that will continue to influence our country, Europe and the world. We have proved that is possible to build a 21^st century city while respecting the human values, with pride and happiness. I accept this distinction on behalf of everyone who worked to show the best of their know-how and take construction and our cities into a new era. Thank you so much for this honour.”

The Olympic Order is the highest distinction awarded by the IOC, to recognise people who have performed remarkable services for the Olympic Movement. Nicolas Ferrand and Laurent Nuñez thus join the prestigious group of personalities honoured for their devotion and contribution to the Olympic spirit.