Marlène Nidecker

4.1. Early Start and Recruitment

Nidecker began practicing Taekwondo at the young age of four. By nine, she had already achieved a black belt and secured a junior national championship title. Her talent was recognized early, leading to her participation in the 2000 World Junior Championships at age 13, where she finished third. This performance led to her recruitment by the French taekwondo federation.

4.2. Training and Professional Development

For the 2001-2002 sports season, Nidecker joined the CREPS Aix-en-Provence, training alongside notable athletes like Pascal Gentil and Mamedy Doucara. During this period, she won the Francophone World Cup in the -67 kg division. After a year, she returned to Canada, temporarily pausing her burgeoning career. However, in 2006, she was invited back to CREPS Aix-en-Provence by Myriam Baverel. While residing in France, Nidecker continued her training and studies, but her professional competition was hindered by her pending French citizenship. In 2008, shortly after receiving her French naturalization, she achieved a significant victory by winning the European Championships in the -63 kg category.

In 2008, Nidecker moved to the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance (INSEP) in Paris to intensify her preparation for the London Olympics. During this period, she demonstrated her dominance on the international stage, securing victories at the US Open, Russia Open, Israel Open, Paris International Tournament, and Deutsch Open. She also earned a medal at the World Taekwondo Championships and successfully secured an Olympic quota for France at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament held in Kazan, Russia.

4.3. Major Competitions and Medals

Throughout her career, Nidecker became a two-time European Champion and a World University Champion, also earning a medal at the World Taekwondo Championships. Her consistent high-level performance led her to achieve the world number one ranking in her weight category.

4.4. 2012 London Olympics

Nidecker's career culminated in her participation at the 2012 London Summer Olympics. She began her campaign by defeating Yeny Contreras in the first round, followed by a victory over Hedaya Wahba in the quarter-finals. She advanced to the semi-finals, where she was defeated by Hou Yuzhuo. This loss placed her in the bronze medal repechage, where she successfully defeated Mayu Hamada to secure a bronze medal for France.

5.1. Sports Patronage and Peace Promotion

In 2014, Nidecker founded the Fondation Heart Angel in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. This foundation is dedicated to promoting education, culture, and sports across West Africa. Notably, the foundation provided support to athletes Cheick Cissé and Ruth Gbagbi, who went on to win historic medals for their country at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.

In 2016, Nidecker was appointed a Champion for Peace, representing the Peace and Sport organization, which operates under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. In this role, she actively advocates for peace through sport, undertaking various field actions globally.

She is also the founder and president of the Caravan for Peace, a humanitarian initiative backed by renowned athletes such as Didier Drogba, Ladji Doucouré, and Daba Modibo Keita. The primary objective of this caravan is to unite sports celebrities in promoting messages of peace and utilizing sport as a powerful tool for social development. The inaugural edition of the Caravan for Peace in 2017 saw sports celebrities visiting villages in Senegal and launching water fountains near sports fields, demonstrating tangible community support.

5.2. Media and Communications Work

Parallel to her athletic endeavors, Nidecker developed a career in media and communications. She starred in advertising campaigns for Allianz, alongside Ladji Doucouré, and for Blune, with Mazarine Pingeot. Her media involvement included working for various outlets such as Eurosport, Canal+ Africa, and France Televisions, where she notably covered the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. Additionally, Nidecker is actively involved with several foundations, serving as an ambassador for "Un Maillot Pour la Vie" and her own Fondation Heart Angel. In 2018, during UNESCO's International Day for Philosophy, she was appointed Ambassador of the International Center for Youth Philosophy PhiloJeunes, further expanding her advocacy for intellectual and social development among youth.

6.1. Major Taekwondo Results

Nidecker's competitive record includes:

• 2012
  • Bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom.
  • Gold medal at the 2012 European Taekwondo Championships in Manchester, England.
  • Gold medal at the US Open in Las Vegas, United States.
  • Silver medal at the World Team Championship in Santa Cruz, Aruba.
• 2011
  • Gold medal at the 2011 Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China.
  • Bronze medal at the 2011 World Taekwondo Championships in Gyeongju, South Korea.
  • Gold medal at the French National Championships.
  • Gold medal at the Russia Open.
  • Gold medal at the Israel Open.
  • Gold medal at the Tournoi International de Paris.
• 2010
  • Gold medal at the Tournoi International de Paris.
  • Gold medal at the French National Championships.
  • Bronze medal at the 2010 European Taekwondo Championships in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
  • Bronze medal at the European Team Cup.
• 2009
  • Bronze medal at the 2009 Summer Universiade in Belgrade, Serbia.
• 2008
  • Gold medal at the 2008 European Taekwondo Championships in Rome, Italy.
  • Gold medal at the Deutsch Open.
• 2007
  • Gold medal at the World Open Mexico.
  • Gold medal at the Spanish Open.
  • Gold medal at the Jerusalem Open.
• 2006
  • Gold medal at the Copa d'Andorra.
  • Gold medal at the Jerusalem Open.
  • Gold medal at the Bilbao Open.
• Other notable achievements include:
  • Bronze medal at the Junior Taekwondo Championships in Killarney, Ireland (2000).
  • Gold medal at the Korea Open (2003).
  • Gold medal at the Francophone World Cup (2002).
  • Gold medal at the US Open (1999).
  • Gold medals at the Canadian National Championships (annually from 1997 to 2002).

6.2. Official Decorations and Commendations

In March 2013, Marlène Nidecker was elevated to the rank of Chevalier (Knight) of the National Order of Merit by the President of France at the Élysée Palace.

In 2018, she received a commendation from United Nations peacekeeping forces for her significant contributions in Africa, an honor she shared with singer and philanthropist Akon.