1 Year to Paris 2024: Ready, Set, Go!

When we first announced our partnership with the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, some people may have overlooked our decision as purely a sponsorship opportunity. In fact, the Sanofi x Paris 2024 partnership is connected to something much more meaningful – our journey to become a modern healthcare company. A cultural journey that touches every part of our business across the world, from our people to our patients to our impact on society and the communities we serve.

As we just entered the final countdown to the Games, I am delighted to launch a newsletter on our company’s journey to Paris 2024. Every month, I’ll be publishing updates on our Sanofi initiatives and on how we are leveraging this unique moment in our company’s history to connect the dots between science and sport. For this first update, let’s dive into the key highlights of our partnership.

1. Science and sport aren’t that different?

If you look closer, you’ll see wide ranging similarities and shared values between Sanofi and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. Because in fact, science and sport are not that different: the determination of a competitive mindset and a “never settle” attitude, what goes into achieving “best-in-class” performance and resilience in the face of failure. And also, in our modern world, the role that technology and data can play to improve performance, reach new highs and ignite potential. Fascinating topics for which the Games give us the perfect platform for exploring these links.?

That is the intention behind our Igniting Potential campaign, which I like to think serves to anchor our intention of all our Paris 2024 partnership initiatives.?

2. Making an impact on society with Team Sanofi?

To further leverage our partnership with Paris 2024, we have the privilege to benefit from the incredible support of Team Sanofi, our hand-picked team of “Ignitors” composed of 14 athletes and coaches from across the world.??

What makes this team so special? The fact, that in addition to their incredible athleticism, they are championing important societal causes and are driven by the same goal as all of us at Sanofi: to make the world a better place.??

Whether it’s about fighting racism and discrimination against the Asian community, advocating for gender equality, accessibility to sports or inspiring youth to pursue their dreams, we are inspired to have such a fantastic team by our side:

Valériane Ayayi, Amandine Buchard, Ellie Challis, Theo Curin, Dany Dann, Sarah Farhoud, Ezra Frech, Nantenin Keita, Sarah M’Barek, Nicolas Mahut, Yul Moldauer, Davide Morana, Lauren Rowles, Nicolai Zeltinger.?

The coolest part? Not only do they support us internally in advancing our efforts to make Sanofi a more diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace, but for the next year, we’ll be rooting for them in all of their competitions.

Just recently I was able to attend with other Sanofians the World Championships of Para Athletics in Paris. Being able to cheer on Nantenin Keita and Ezra French (now a world champion of the high jump T63!) together with Dany Dann will remain a highlight of the year for me.

3. Engaging all Sanofians globally?

Last but not least, at the very heart of our decision to sponsor the Paris 2024 Games, there was the objective to create unique opportunities for as many Sanofians as possible. And that’s exactly what we are doing: building bespoke employee engagement programs leveraging the magic of the Games and rooted in our objective to ignite potential.??

First, by launching Sanofi Cup, the biggest employee engagement event in the history of our company. Available to our 91,000 employees, Sanofi Cup is a world-wide, friendly and inclusive competition that all Sanofians can participate in through a variety of physical and volunteer opportunities, and that will culminate in a final gathering in Paris for select teams next year.??

Second, by giving a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to many of our employees in France to run with the Olympic and Paralympic Torch. Sanofians selected as “forerunners”, will be those who best exemplify our company’s purpose to chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.???

And third, by tapping into the incredible purpose-driven mindset of our people who have raised their hands to be Volunteers at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. Sanofians coming from 54 countries, have been selected out of 11,000 employees to come and play their part in making the Paris 2024 Games a success. A global, diverse and inclusive delegation of people who will contribute to the biggest event on the planet: that’s a perfect illustration of the purpose-driven organization we are.??

What’s next? So much more!?

With so much already going on, you may be wondering what’s next? So much more! We’ve accomplished a lot already but have much farther to go with our Paris 2024 partnership.??

Coming up next, at the end of August, one year to go to the Paralympic Games, I’ll be excited to tell you about a new movement we are joining to fight meningitis – a cause both Sanofi and three of our Team Sanofi members have been dedicated to for many years. Stay tuned!??

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