The Banques Populaires and the Caisses d'Epargne continue their support for French sport in 2026 and encourage their 12 athletes competing in Italy

With more than 180 athletes supported, Team BPCE is once again the one supporting the most high-level athletes in France. This commitment is part of a collective dynamic within the Banques Populaires, the Caisses d'Epargne and the other companies and businesses of Groupe BPCE.

Out of thirteen winter sports athletes supported by the Banques Populaires and the Caisses d'Epargne, twelve have qualified for this major competition in Italy: 

• Thibault Anselmet and Emily Harrop (ski mountaineering), supported by the Banque Populaire Auvergne Rhône Alpes,
• Justine Braisaz-Bouchet and Jeanne Richard (biathlon), Léo Anguenot, Marielle Berger-Sabbatel and Marie Lamure (alpine skiing), Lucas Chavanat and Melissa Gal (cross-country skiing) and Loan Bozzolo (snowboard cross) supported by the Caisse d'Epargne Rhône Alpes,
• Emilien Claude (biathlon) and Clémence Didierlaurent (cross-country skiing) supported by the Caisse d'Epargne Grand Est Europe.
   

Since 2019, the Banques Populaires and the Caisses d'Epargne, alongside other Groupe BPCE companies – Casden Banque Populaire, Crédit Coopératif, Natixis NIM, Natixis CIB, Banque Palatine and Oney – have developed a support programme for athletes that is unique in France. 

In 2026, this joint collective brings together 184 athletes, including 54 para-athletes, from all regions of France.     In addition to sporting performance, the Banques Populaires and the Caisses d'Epargne support these athletes over the long term, thus contributing to their dual sporting and professional project. 
Of these 184 athletes, 110 benefit from the French Sport Foundation's Performance Pact program, making Groupe BPCE the leading contributor.

Groupe BPCE, together with the Banques Populaires and the Caisses d'Epargne in all regions, reaffirms its ambition to be the bank of sport in France: a player that supports athletes and sport over the long term, as close as possible to their needs, on and off the field. 

Portrait of Thibault Anselmet, 
High-level athlete in ski mountaineering, supported by the Banque Populaire Auvergne Rhône Alpes 
Originally from Bonneval-sur-Arc, Thibault Anselmet has established himself as one of the world's best ski mountaineering specialists, with titles such as three-time World Cup winner and two-time world champion in the mixed relay. He combines rigor and passion in his remarkable performances. Beyond the podiums, he embodies the collective spirit and humility of the mountains, inspiring a new generation of athletes and representing the values of Team BPAURA. 

Portrait of Emily Harrop, 
High-level athlete in ski mountaineering, supported by the Banque Populaire Auvergne Rhône Alpes 
Originally from Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Emily Harrop is an emblematic figure of international ski mountaineering, known for her determination to push her limits on demanding courses. A three-time world champion (mixed relay in 2023 and 2025, team race in 2023) and winner of the World Cup in 2022, she excels in major competitions. Beyond her successes, she embodies team spirit and passion for the mountains. His commitment inspires Team BPAURA and promotes the values of his region on the international scene.
Emily Harrop forms a duo with Thibault Anselmet in competition, particularly in the mixed relay event. 

Portrait of Justine Braisaz-Bouchet,
High-level biathlon athlete, supported by the Caisse d'Epargne Rhône Alpes 
Biathlete, born in 1996 in Albertville, Justine Braisaz has won many World Cup events, including the small crystal globe of the Mass-start in 2022. In February 2023, she became Olympic Champion in the Mass-start at the Beijing Olympics and made an impressive comeback in the 2023-2024 season with a triple sprint, pursuit and mass-start. At the 2024 World Championships, she won five medals, including three gold. In 2025, she won the World Champion title in sprint and relay, as well as several other titles, totalling 11 podiums.

Portrait of Jeanne Richard,
High-level biathlon athlete, supported by the Caisse d'Epargne Rhône Alpes 
A nugget of French biathlon, born in 2003 in Annecy, Jeanne Richard began her career in 2018 and has already won several medals, including gold in the mixed relay and silver in the individual at the Youth Olympics in 2020. In 2021, she became youth world champion in the individual (10 km) in Obertilliach and won five silver medals at the junior world championships in 2023. In 2025, she won the Globe of Nations and climbed the World Cup podium four times.

Portrait of Léo Anguenot,
High-level athlete in alpine skiing, supported by the Caisse d'Epargne Rhône Alpes 
An alpine skier born in Annecy in 1998, Léo Anguenot has won numerous France championship titles in the youth categories, up to the Espoirs (under 21 years old). He holds the title of vice-champion of France Juniors U21 (under 21 years old) in Slalom and Giant Slalom in 2019. In 2025, Léo obtained his 1st podium of his career in the World Cup with a 2nd place in the Giant Slalom in Alta Badia (Italy).

Portrait of Marielle Berger-Sabbatel, 
High-level athlete in alpine skiing, supported by the Caisse d'Epargne Rhône Alpes 
A French freestyle skier specializing in ski cross, Marielle is originally from Bourg-Saint-Maurice, where she began competing at the age of 8. She has already won several titles, including a bronze medal in ski cross at the 2017 World Championships. She has more than thirty podiums including 2 World Cup victories. 
His 2025 year was exceptional with 5 podiums achieved in the World Cup (3 times second and 2 times third).

Portrait of Marie Lamure, 
High-level athlete in alpine skiing, supported by the Caisse d'Epargne Rhône Alpes 
Alpine skier, Marie Lamure, 25 years old, is from Chambéry. She won the Junior World Combined Championships in 2022 and the team World Championships in 2019. 
In 2023, she distinguished herself by finishing 4th in the parallel during the Courchevel Méribel 2023 World Ski Championships and by winning her first European Cup podium in giant slalom. 
Marie achieved the best performance of her career in the World Cup with a TOP 10 in Slalom at the Kranjska Gora (Slovenia) stage in 2025.

Portrait of Lucas Chavanat, 
High-level cross-country skiing athlete, supported by the Caisse d'Epargne Rhône Alpes 
Originally from Le Grand Bornand, Lucas is a French cross-country skier specialising in sprinting. In 2024, he won 2 Tour Ski sprint events in Davos and Toblach and thus became the first French rider to win two stages of the Tour de Ski, confirming his place among the best sprinters on the world circuit! In 2025, Lucas achieved 3 podiums with 2 second places and a bronze medal at the stages of Davos and Engadin (Switzerland) and Tobalch (Italy).

Portrait of Melissa Gal, 
High-level cross-country skiing athlete, supported by the Caisse d'Epargne Rhône Alpes 
A versatile cross-country skier, very successful in sprint skateboarding, Mélissa Gal was born in 1999 in Annemasse. She began her career in 2021 and competed at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, where she competed in the 10km classic and sprint events. In March 2024, she won the title of France champion in the classic sprint in Méribel and did it again in the autumn of 2024 by becoming France champion in roller skiing in the Bresse. At only 25 years old, she embodies dynamism, determination and passion and has established herself in the French cross-country skiing landscape as one of the most promising high-level cross-country skiers. In 2025, Mélissa became France champion in the classic mass-start and France champion in the women's relay.

Portrait of Loan Bozzolo,
High-level snowboard cross athlete, supported by the Caisse d'Epargne Rhône Alpes 
Passionate about board sports from a very young age. A rising star in snowboard cross, he competed in a series of competitions and won the Junior World Championships in 2019 and the France Championships (2017). In December 2022, at the age of 23, he won his first World Cup victory in Cervinia (Italy). A year later, he finished 2nd in the mixed relay of the 2 Alpes World Cup event (team event) with his compatriot Chloé Trespeuch. In 2025, Loan became mixed team world champion and individual runner-up.

Portrait of Emilien Claude, 
High-level biathlon athlete, supported by the Caisse d'Epargne Grand Est Europe 
French biathlete, born in 1999 in Remiremont, Émilien Claude is gradually establishing himself as one of the major athletes of the new generation of French biathlon. Coming from a family of biathletes, he joined the national teams at a very early age and distinguished himself by his regularity, his solidity in shooting and his commitment to both individual and collective formats. Present on the World Cup circuit since the early 2020s, he actively contributes to the performance of the France team, particularly in relays, and signs several reference results at the highest international level. Season after season, Émilien Claude confirms his ability to establish himself among the world's biathlon elite and embodies an ambitious and determined new generation. In 2025, he participated in major international competitions, including the World Cup and the IBU calendar, contributing to the performance of the France team, especially in relays, and confirming his place among the elite of world biathlon.

Portrait of Clémence Didierlaurent, 
High-level cross-country skiing athlete, supported by the Caisse d'Epargne Grand Est Europe 
Athlete of the France cross-country skiing team, Clémence Didierlaurent is gradually making a name for herself on the international scene thanks to her consistency and commitment. She took part in World Cup competitions and distinguished herself in both individual and team events. Through her career and her performances, she confirms her ability to evolve sustainably at the highest level and to contribute to the influence of French cross-country skiing.In 2025, she will participate in major international competitions, including the World Cup, and contribute to the performance of the France team, reflecting an ambitious generation of French cross-country skiing.