Works of art created by Olympic athletes are on display at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris

On the occasion of the Paris 2024 Olympics, works created by seven Olympic athletes are on display at the Palais de Tokyo in the “ClubHouse 24” area: oil paintings, photographs, decoupage, multimedia collages, sculptures, and a blanket made from recycled fabrics, for a total of 37 works of art.

The exhibition is part of the “Olympian Artists” program promoted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Launched in 2018, this program aims to highlight the artistic talents of Olympians and Paralympians, encouraging them to make and present their artistic creations to the general public.

Olympic athletes exhibiting their works are Luc Abalo (France, handball, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020); René Concepción (Philippines, swimming, Seoul 1988); Annabel Eyres (Great Britain, rowing, Barcelona 1992); Grace Latz (USA, rowing, Rio 2016); Enzo Lefort (France, fencing, London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020); Brooklyn McDougall (Canada, speed skating, Beijing 2022); and Clementine Stoney Maconachie (Australia, swimming, Sydney 2000).

The works on display.

Inspired by his family history and the Olympic spirit, René Concepción, now a coach, educator and artist, has created a series of lively and dynamic multimedia collages that aim to connect and instill joy, celebrating the gift of life.

Annabel Eyres, primarily a figurative artist, is inspired by British photographer Eadweard Muybridge, known for his photographic studies of people and animals in motion. Also drawing inspiration from her love of rowing, swimming and yoga, she presents a series of six decoupage works and two wooden reliefs depicting the human figure in motion.

Guadeloupe-born French foilist Enzo Lefort is the only artist in the exhibition currently competing in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. His series of photographic portraits entitled “Olympic Faces: A French Team” shows the diversity of athletes representing France at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Swimmer turned sculptor, Clementine Stoney Maconachie, finds many similarities between sports and art. “Both require commitment and dedication. Both practices require time and effort to develop one’s skills and hone one’s technique. Both create community and are a form of expression,” she explains. The Australian Olympian presents six sculptures made from sustainable or recycled materials that express the joy and grace of movement and balance.

Brooklyn McDougall, a Canadian skater, pays tribute with her paintings and fictional newspaper articles to the “Pioneer” athletes (Hélène de Pourtalès, Charlotte Cooper and Margaret Abbott), the first women to become Olympic champions in Paris in 1900, whose achievements were never adequately celebrated at the time.

French handball legend and Olympic champion Luc Abalo creates parallels between sports and painting as powerful forms of physical expression. A talented painter, he presents four oil paintings celebrating athleticism and the art of athletes.

American rower Grace Latz displays a blanket with the Olympic symbol, made from recycled cutouts of sportswear, including some of her own used in competition. She produced this piece in collaboration with a group of seniors during a creative workshop at Club Caulaincourt in the 19th district of Paris.

Works of art created by Olympic athletes are on display at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris

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