(2014 ARCHIVED) Paul Chandelier - France
PAUL CHANDELIER (France) - Nominee for 'Paddlesports Professional'
Website: www.thuryharcourtcanoe2014.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/kayakpolo2014
- Born: 1946, profession: Mayor, sports administrator; sport(s): canoe polo, nationality: French
As Mayor of Thury-Harcourt since 2001, Paul Chandelier was instrumental in bidding for and bringing the 2014 ICF Canoe Polo World Championships to his town in Normandie in northwest France.
Earning the right to host the World Championships in 2014 was an incredible for feat for a town with only about 2000 inhabitants located in the Orne Valley and a mere 5km² in area.
To win the bid for the Championships, Paul spearheaded collaboration with major organisational bodies in France for example with the French National Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Sport, the National Centre for the Development of Sport (CNDS), the Tourism County Committee of Calvados amongst others and of course with the International Canoe Federation.
The 2014 polo competitions took place in specially-created aqua arenas on the River Orne in the heart of 15 hectares of stunning nature in the 'La Vallée du Traspy'. This area has also previously been used to host the 2007 European Canoe Polo Championships.
Activities and achievements off the water:
- Publishing a book about the 2014 ICF World Championships Canoe Polo
This is a 2014 archived nominee. For the 2015 nominees click on the button below.