AGILE MOVE: French gymnast Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos has scored a double win ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Dior tapped the 23-year-old athlete as its latest brand ambassador, and she will also be sponsored by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton ahead of the Paris Olympics, the French luxury house and its parent group said Monday.
“Animated by the same values of audacity, creativity and excellence dear to Christian Dior, Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos builds every day her dream: that of an Olympic medal in Paris,” said the group in a statement revealing de Jesus dos Santos’ new role.
Considered a headliner of France’s artistic gymnastic team, de Jesus dos Santos is a four-time European champion in her field and was a finalist at the Tokyo Olympics. Having moved to the U.S., she trains in Houston alongside Olympian and fellow gymnast Simone Biles.
Last week she and her teammates of the French gymnastics team made headlines for winning a bronze medal at the World Gymnastics Championships, a first for the country since 1950.
The Martinique-born athlete strongly contributed to the win when she distinguished herself with a stunning performance on the beam during the world contest.
Dior said in a separate communication that the deal embodied the “passionate link in the name of excellence” and its desire to “encourage the dreams and talent of new generations.” The house also counts British tennis player Emma Raducanu, South Korean figure skater Yuna Kim and China speed skater Zhang Hong among its ambassadors.
De Jesus dos Santos becomes the second athlete to be sponsored by LVMH, in the wake of swimmer Léon Marchand.
The French group signed on to become a premium partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in July, with Antoine Arnault, the group’s head of communication, image and environment, saying several of its houses would play a special role during the games.
A cohort of four or five Olympic and Paralympic athletes will benefit from financial support and privileged introductions to the group’s houses.
The next athlete is expected to be revealed at the end of October.