Legendary woman cyclist receives promotion in the Commander of the Legion d’Honneur
2011 has started well for Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli, who has been promoted to “Commandeur” in the order of the Legion d’Honneur in the New Year awards in France, according to Le Figaro. The 52-year-old took her 57th French national title earlier this year in the time trial, and went on to represent France in the World Championships once more; she finished fifth in the time trial and twelfth in the road race.
Longo-Ciprelli was first made a “Chevalier” of the Legion back in 1986, after having taken her second successive road World title (she has five!) and second successive Prestige Pernod for the best rider of the year. She also won a number of national titles that year, as well as another World Championship on the track.
In 1996 she was promoted to “Officer” after taking her second Worlds time trial (she has four!) as well as gold in the road race and silver in the time trial at the Atlanta Olympic Games in the USA.
Promotion to “Commandeur” takes her to a level where no other female sportsperson has been before.
"I'd already had a promotion in the national order of merit,” she told French radoo station RMC. “This is a nice surprise to start the year. It is an honour and it is something very strong emotionally speaking. At first, I have not thought about it, then I saw my name on TV this morning; it was a great surprise.
“When I opened my mail,” she explained, “there was a letter from the Elysée and I was surprised to discover a letter from the President that informed me of the decision. It makes my heart warm."
Longo-Ciprelli has some cycling company in the Legion d’Honneur; Laurent Jalabert and Raymond Poulidor are both Officers and FDJ manager Marc Madiot is a Chevalier.