Breton Athletes Representing France and Italy at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina feature six athletes of Breton origin competing across multiple disciplines. Three of these athletes participate in speed skating, one in skeleton, one in ice hockey, and one in figure skating—although that last athlete competes for Italy after naturalization. This distinct presence highlights Brittany’s contribution to winter sports on both national and international stages.
Among these athletes, the prominence of hockey stands out with a young forward who holds great promise for French women’s hockey. The others exemplify dedication in speed skating and skeleton, carrying forward regional legacy with their Olympic participation.
French Ice Hockey Hope: The Young Forward
This 21-year-old hockey player debuted at the Winter Olympics with the French national team. She balances life across Chamonix, the United States—where she studies and competes in university hockey—and Pontivy, Morbihan. Beginning hockey at age three in Megève and developing through the Chamonix Rebels, she claimed the Division 1B U18 World Championship title in 2019, also finishing as the top scorer for French youth teams.
Despite a preliminary loss against Italy at the Olympics, her skill and experience make her a key figure for future French hockey developments.
Figure Skating Duo Representing Italy
Charlène Guignard, a 36-year-old figure skater originally from Finistère, is making her fourth Olympic appearance, this time competing under the Italian flag. Naturalized in 2013, she lives in Milan with her skating partner and companion Marco Fabbri. The pair are triple European champions and have recently earned second place at the 2024 European Championships and the World Championships in 2023 and 2024.
Their sustained success showcases the high level of figure skating proficiency cultivated by Breton athletes abroad.
Speed Skating: Three Bretons on Ice
The regional representation in speed skating is significant with three qualified athletes. Mathieu Belloir, 25, from Saint-Malo, transitioned from roller skating to ice speed skating to pursue his childhood dream of participating in the Olympics. In national and international competitions, he demonstrated his capabilities by winning silver in the French Championships and securing an Olympic quota in the Mass Start event. He recently finished second at a World Cup Mass Start race in Germany.
Belloir aims to succeed Alexis Contin, a renowned fellow Malouin who nearly medaled at the Turin 2006 Games, showing continuity in Breton speed skating excellence.
Also competing is Germain Deschamps, cousin of Belloir and club member from Dinan’s La Beaumanoir. Starting roller skating at four years old, he is a specialist in long-distance speed skating with multiple French national titles and European medals at junior levels. His team secured a historic silver at a World Cup relay event in Canada, marking a milestone for French speed skating.
The third speed skater, Giovanni Trebouta from Saint-Brieuc, is also a roller-skating convert dedicated to ice since 2022. At 26, he makes his Olympic debut. His podium finishes at the French Championships on the 5,000m and 10,000m confirm his status as a key contender.
Skeleton Sport’s Breton Representative
At 28 years old, Lucas Defayet from Rennes stands as France’s leading skeleton racer. Having taken up the sport in his teenage years, he competes headfirst on a sled at speeds approaching 130 km/h, requiring exceptional skill and courage. He has steadily risen on the international circuit, consistently ranking in the world’s top 30.
Since 2022, Defayet has fully committed to skeleton, maintaining a top-20 global position throughout the 2024-2025 season. His participation marks France’s return to Olympic skeleton competition after more than a decade.
Summary of the Six Breton Athletes at the Milan-Cortina Games
| Athlete Name | Sport | Age | Origin | Key Achievements | Olympic Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female Ice Hockey Player* | Ice Hockey | 21 | Morbihan | U18 Division 1B World Champion, top scorer | Olympic debut |
| Charlène Guignard | Figure Skating | 36 | Finistère | Triple European Champion, World Medals | Fourth Olympics (Italy) |
| Mathieu Belloir | Speed Skating | 25 | Saint-Malo | French Championship Silver, World Cup podium | First Olympics |
| Germain Deschamps | Speed Skating | 23 | Saint-Malo | 12x French Champion (roller), World Cup Silver | First Olympics |
| Giovanni Trebouta | Speed Skating | 26 | Saint-Brieuc | French Championship Double Silver | First Olympics |
| Lucas Defayet | Skeleton | 28 | Rennes | Top 20 World Ranking, France’s leading skeleton racer | First Olympics since 2010 for France |
The Brittany region demonstrates strong representation at the 2026 Winter Olympics, spanning a diverse set of winter sports disciplines. Their participation not only highlights regional talent but also contributes significantly to France’s overall Olympic ambitions in Milan-Cortina.
Read more at: france3-regions.franceinfo.fr
