“Sanofi’s partnership with Paris 2024 goes beyond sports and corporate visibility—it signals a commitment to diversity and inclusion”
BY DYLAN MANN-HAZELL
In the wake of the remarkable Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, one of the triumphs was the impactful involvement of partners such as Sanofi. As a prominent global healthcare leader, Sanofi showcased its dedication to diversity, inclusion, and community throughout this monumental event.
In this insightful Q&A, myGwork speaks with Christelle Foucault, Diversity External Engagement Director, Corporate Public Affairs, and Yann-Joël Beyer, Global Medical Buyer & Pride+ France ERG Leader, from Sanofi to reflect on the company’s significant role during the Games.
Congratulations on being a premium partner of Paris 2024! Can you tell us about Sanofi’s role and involvement in the Olympics and Paralympics this summer?
Sanofi’s partnership with Paris 2024 has involved more than 8,000 Sanofians (~10% of our organisation): 2,024 volunteers (1,012 for Olympics and 1,012 for Paralympics), 300 torch bearers, 80 marathonists, 2,800 Igniters … All these Sanofians were invited to Paris and came from over 60 countries, with a gender balanced and a representativeness in terms of generations, levels, sites, etc.
In addition, two years ago we selected exceptional athletes, coaches, or ambassadors to be part of the “Team Sanofi”. We selected them based on their commitment to society, including their commitment to LGBTQIA topics for two of them: Amandine Buchard (France, judo) and Lauren Rowles (UK, para rowing).
Athletes and coaches represented 14 people, seven countries and 10 sports: judo, gymnastics, wheelchair basketball, swimming, athletics, rowing, tennis, basketball, football and breakdance, one of the new disciplines at the Paris 2024 Games, half of them being athletes with a disability. Finally, 10 of them qualified for the Olympics or Paralympics.
Sanofi also partnered with the Pride House Paris 2024, in alignment with our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion values and commitments.
What specific goals did you aim to achieve through your involvement with the Paris 2024 Olympics?
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games weren’t just about sport: they were also about courage, resilience, teamwork and making an impact in the world. Leveraging sport and the momentum from the Paris 2024 Games, we wanted to show that we have the ability to make science more inclusive, available, and meaningful to all, building a true legacy in line with our purpose.
In alignment with the Olympic spirit, Sanofi’s motto, “Never Settle,” encourages employees to continuously strive for improvement, never becoming complacent. This mindset is crucial in a world of rapid change, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, where innovation and progress are key. By leveraging its Olympic partnership, Sanofi is sending a strong message to its employees: always aim higher, push boundaries, and keep evolving.
Through this partnership, Sanofi demonstrates its belief that success is not just about reaching the finish line but about the journey and the drive to be better every day. By adopting this “Never Settle” attitude, Sanofi hopes to inspire its teams to consistently seek innovation, both in their work and personal lives.
How does this partnership align with Sanofi’s values regarding diversity and inclusion, particularly in relation to the athletes and communities represented at Paris 2024?
Beyond performance and ambition, the Paris 2024 Olympics embody values of unity, inclusion, and diversity, all of which resonate strongly with Sanofi’s corporate ethos. As part of its Olympic engagement, Sanofi is committed to fostering a more inclusive workplace, where diverse talents can thrive and contribute to a shared vision of excellence: by selecting athletes from different backgrounds, abilities, and experiences, Sanofi underscores its belief that diversity fuels innovation and success. This approach not only mirrors the diverse nature of the communities Sanofi serves worldwide but also promotes an environment where different perspectives are valued and celebrated.
Furthermore, by encouraging employees to take part in activities related to the Games, from local sports initiatives to international collaborations, Sanofi hopes to create a sense of belonging and pride. The Olympic values of respect, excellence, and friendship align perfectly with the company’s aim of nurturing a positive, supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and succeed.
How does the Olympic partnership resonate with you personally? Do you feel a sense of pride in your company’s involvement in such a significant global event?
Yann-Joël : As a passionate rugby and martial arts enthusiast, I’ve always been drawn to sports that embody teamwork, discipline, and resilience. These values resonate with me not only in my personal life but also in my professional one. That’s why the partnership between Sanofi and the Paris 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Games has made me incredibly proud to work for this company. I am even prouder that Sanofi has chosen to support openly LGBTQIA athletes and promote an inclusive environment through its backing of Pride House, a safe and visible space for the LGBTQIA community during the Games. This initiative demonstrates Sanofi’s dedication to diversity, equality, and respect—values that I hold close to my heart, both as a sports fan and as an employee. Knowing that the company I work for stands firmly behind such initiatives fills me with immense pride and a renewed sense of purpose.
I can also confirm that this sentiment of pride is shared not just by my French colleagues, but by Sanofi employees around the world. There’s a particularly strong connection for those who have had the opportunity to actively contribute to this partnership, such as the dedicated volunteers.
Can you talk about the role Sanofi had in supporting Pride House earlier this summer, and the main objectives of this initiative?
As part of Sanofi’s commitments to DE&I, particularly for LGBTQIA people in the company, it seemed natural to support the Pride House organisation, which aims to raise awareness, educate, and make visible the diversity of emotional orientations and gender identities for athletes, but also for the general public. Pride House is also about providing a safe space for athletes from countries that discriminate against members of the LGBTQIA community.
By supporting financially FIER-PLAY, the organisers of the Pride House in Paris, we provided sufficient resources for them to run their program through the entire time of the Olympics and Paralympics: offering exhibitions, concerts, a safe fan-zone showcasing out athletes whatever their identity and nationality, holding booths in different spots around Paris, organising inclusive sport demonstrations, etc.
We offered also to our employees the opportunity to be a volunteer at the Pride House during the Olympics and Paralympics. And finally, we invited our Pride+ members and allies to come to the Pride House for a celebration of inclusion on the barge “Le Rosa Bonheur sur Seine”, which was the main venue of this Paris 2024 Pride House during the Olympics.
In your opinion, how important is it for companies like Sanofi to support initiatives like Pride House, which promote inclusivity and safe spaces for the LGBTQIA community?
Supporting initiatives like Pride House is crucial for Sanofi as it aligns with the company’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and social responsibility. Pride House provides a safe space for the LGBTQIA community, fostering acceptance and understanding, values that are core to Sanofi’s mission of improving health and well-being for all individuals. By championing such initiatives, Sanofi helps promote equality and combat discrimination, both within the company and in the wider society. This not only enhances employee morale and inclusiveness but also strengthens Sanofi’s reputation as a leader in corporate responsibility and human rights advocacy.
What are your hopes for Sanofi’s ongoing commitment to LGBTQIA initiatives beyond the support of Pride House?
At Sanofi, I hope that our engagement with the LGBTQIA community, exemplified through our support of the Pride House, will extend further, and deepen over time. Beyond this visible show of support, I look forward to seeing a sustained commitment to our LGBTQIA patients and employees, ensuring that diversity, inclusivity, and equity are at the heart of everything we do.
Moreover, this dedication should also encompass our suppliers and business partners. By fostering an environment where all stakeholders are respected, regardless of their gender identity or affective/sexual orientation, we can set a positive example across the industry.
I also believe there is great potential for Sanofi to collaborate with intersectional LGBTQIA associations that address the specific needs of diverse groups within the community. These could include partnerships with organisations supporting LGBTQIA youth, seniors, people of colour, or those living with disabilities. Such efforts would not only reinforce Sanofi’s commitment to equality but also help address the unique challenges faced by many marginalised individuals within the LGBTQIA community.
Together, these actions will ensure that Sanofi remains a true ally, championing the rights and well-being of all members of the LGBTQIA community.
The Paris 2024 partnership has already contributed to a long-term legacy for Sanofi. What lasting impact do you hope it will have on the company overall?
Sanofi’s partnership with Paris 2024 goes beyond sports and corporate visibility—it signals a commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly for the LGBTQIA community. One key highlight of this collaboration was a recent event at the Pride House, which hosted 150 attendees, including numerous allies and two members of Sanofi’s Executive Committee. This significant turnout underscores the company’s active engagement in fostering an inclusive environment within and beyond its walls.
By supporting such initiatives, Sanofi is helping to break barriers and promote acceptance, not only during the Olympic Games but also for the long term. The presence of high-level executives at the Pride House demonstrates that this commitment comes from the top, reinforcing the importance of LGBT+ inclusion in the corporate culture.
This partnership, amplified by the visibility of Paris 2024, sends a strong message: inclusivity is a key value for Sanofi, and they are determined to lead by example. Such actions will likely inspire other organisations to embrace diversity, potentially influencing policies and societal attitudes on a larger scale, thus leaving a lasting impact on the LGBTQIA community.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The Paris 2024 Olympics set a historic record for LGBTQIA representation, with 199 openly LGBTQIA athletes participating; as a comparison, only 23 openly gay and lesbian athletes competed at 2012 London Summer Olympics. These athletes performed exceptionally well, winning enough medals to place them sixth in the overall ranking if they were counted as a nation. This significant visibility is something that Sanofi hopes will continue in the future. In fact, Sanofi is already looking ahead and exploring a potential partnership with Eurogames Lyon 2025, a major LGBTQIA sporting event, to further support inclusion and diversity in sports. I also hope that Sanofi will renew this partnership for Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games!
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