French Gymnast, Isabelle Severino, receives the National Order of Merit
The French Republic recently bestowed the National Order of Merit on the two-time Olympian, Isabelle Severino. The honour was awarded to Severino in acknowledgment of her achievements in the field of gymnastics and those relevant to the sport.
Severino’s career in elite gymnastics extends over artistic as well as aerobic gymnastics. As a world gymnast, she took part in several World Championships and European Championships, and even has medals to her claim from these events.
She was the Junior European Bars titlist in 1994. In subsequent years, Severino earned a bronze medal on uneven bars in World Championships in 1996, and became the European Champion on floor exercise in 2005.
In 2000, the gymnast retired from elite competition and forayed into the world of body expression when she joined the Cirque du Soleil.
The Cirque du Soleil is the most prestigious entertainment company specializing in circus arts and street entertainment.
As part of the Cirque du Soleil crew, Severino performed in the show La Nouba. During her time as a retiree she also joined a communications company.
As an aerobic gymnast she performed with partners, Gregory Alcan and Xavier Julien, to win the bronze in 2003’s European Aerobics Championships (mixed-trio division).
Her comeback in 2004, during the Athens Olympic Games, marked the introduction of a new strength, as Severino performed on the floor instead of the uneven bars.
Her days with Cirque du Soleil and continuous practice honed her dancing skills to such an extent that her fame is now considered to be a derivative of her dancing abilities and spellbinding performances.
She is also known for her ability to channel her personality into her dance moves, which owe her routines their individuality.
At 31, she is a veteran in gymnastics, which is commendable and depicts strong staying power in a sport such as gymnastics where athletes retire young and youth reigns.
Severino has also had the experience of acting on the big screen. She played the body double of Missy Peregrym in the 2006 movie Stick It.
Apart from that, she maintains her involvement in gymnastics as a commentator on TV and radio.
The patriotic gymnast was overwhelmed at the recognition and counts the honour as the most important one in her life.
"The medals and recognition in the world of gymnastics are really important to me, as well as to have left a trace in this sport that is my passion. But this recognition is much bigger and national. This is a citizen recognition and an honour from my nation,"
she said.
The gymnast currently runs her own graphic design company under the name Arts et Conception in Paris, and hopes to continue her association with gymnastics at various levels.
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