Pat Hickey received the Légion d’Honneur from the Ambassador of France – Madame Emmanuelle D’Achon. The reception took place at the Residence of the Embassy of France in Dublin on 7th Octoer and was attended by 100 guests. For his role in the Olympic movement as President of European Olympic Committees, President of Olympic Council of Ireland, Member of the International Olympic Committee and Vice-President of the World Olympic Committees – Pat Hickey was knighted in the order of the Legion of Honour by the French government for his contribution to Olympic sport. The Legion of Honour is one of the most prestigious honours by the French Republic and is awarded for outstanding service.
Speaking to the guests, Mr. Hickey said that receiving the honour was a monumental occasion for him and his family – and that his life in sport was largely shaped by precepts set up by the founder of the modern Olympic Games movement, Baron Pierre de Coubertin. He expressed his sheer delight that the honour was made in respect of his Olympic work as an unpaid volunteer at home and abroad for the past 30 years.
