The Excellence Award of the Mauritian Olympic Committee: An Unprecedented Celebration of Athletic Merit

The Mauritian Olympic Committee (COM) has taken a new step in promoting high-level sports with the official launch of the Excellence Award. This award ceremony, a first for the Olympic body, aims to recognize athletes from Olympic disciplines who have excelled throughout the year 2025. The inaugural event will take place on Saturday, January 31, at the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel in Port-Louis, starting at 5 PM. The President of the Republic, along with several prominent figures from the sports and institutional spheres, will be in attendance.

Staying true to its new philosophy, the COM aims to prioritize athletes through this initiative. At a press conference held on Wednesday in Trianon, COM President Richard Papie highlighted the significance of this recognition: "This initiative seeks to reward athletes who have proudly represented our colors throughout 2025. We are here for their well-being and to acknowledge their performances. The winners will serve as our ambassadors for the coming year."

Beyond this national ceremony, the COM encourages sports federations to follow suit by rewarding their top athletes at the end of the year. This approach is crucial for further motivating young talents and establishing a culture of recognition at all levels. The Excellence Award is not just a one-off event but the start of an essential annual gathering. The laureates will have the honor of serving as COM ambassadors throughout the year, promoting the values of Olympism among the youth.

Nominees for the 1st Edition

The selection process, overseen by the technical commission of the COM led by Yovin Gyadin, has identified three finalists per category based on nominations from national federations:

Best Elite Performer Male

● Gérard Adrien Charoux (Archery)

● Mayer Henry Alexandre (Cycling)

● Willem Emile (Weightlifting)

Best Elite Performer Female

● Liliane Potiron (Athletics)

● Mary Patricia Kimberley Le Court De Billot (Cycling)

● Ketty Lent (Weightlifting)

Rising Star Boy

● Emile Gerard Brice TAILLY (Athletics)

● Hardy Tristan Bernard (Cycling)

● Jack Donovan Madanamoothoo (Weightlifting)

Rising Star Girl

● Marie Selena Jolicoeur (Athletics)

● Elsa Caitlin How Hong (Badminton)

● Yahna Soopal (Weightlifting)

To directly support sports practice, awards will be given in the form of sports equipment grants:

● Elite Winners: Rs 30,000 in equipment

● Rising Star Winners: Rs 15,000 in equipment

● Nominees and coaches of winners: Rs 5,000 in equipment each.