The suspense ends: less than three weeks before the 92nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will take place on June 15 and 16, we finally know the identity of the official Starter of the Sarthe event. After the American basketball player LeBron James in 2023, the ACO has struck again very hard by attracting one of the greatest athletes in history: Zinédine Zidane, who will have the honor of waving the French flag to start the race. race for 62 participating crews.
𝗭𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗭𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗲 has been named starter of the 24 Hours of Le Mans!⚽
One of the greatest French sportspeople of all time will wave the French flag to start of the 92nd running of the iconic endurance race on Saturday June 15 at 16:00 p.m. # LeMans24 pic.twitter.com/wNUJVycjra
- 24 Hours of Le Mans (@ 24hoursoflemans) May 28, 2024
The 51-year-old former French footballer has won everything in his career: the Football World Cup in 1998, the European Championship in 2000, the Ballon d'Or in 1998 and the Champions League on multiple occasions, in as a player and coach.
Retired since 2006 as a player, and without a club since his departure from Real Madrid in 2021, Zinédine Zidane has become an ambassador for the brand Alpine early 2023. That’s good: the A arrow makes its return to the premier category of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024! Coincidence? We doubt it! In addition, the symbol of attracting one of the most recognized French and sporting personalities in the world is strong, especially in this Olympic year with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“The 24 Hours of Le Mans is unique. For all those who love motorsport, for the whole world, it is a legendary race. It’s a source of French pride, rejoices Zinédine Zidane. I obviously have a lot of images in my head, racing, legendary drivers, incredible stories, but in front of my TV (laughs) or through the cinema too! So it will be a great first to be there. Needless to say, I'm really honored to take on this role as starter, I can't wait to be at the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15! »
“I very sincerely thank Zinédine Zidane for accepting the role of Starter, adds Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. The 24 Hours of Le Mans are known throughout the world and have, in their history, always welcomed big names from all walks of life. Zinédine Zidane is an icon, a sportsman who has left his mark on generations of enthusiasts through his genius. In this historic year for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with an exceptional sporting field, we could not dream of a greater Starter. »
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