Olympic Games: Damien Guelpa, a Student at ESC Clermont BS and Torchbearer for Paris 2024

Thanks to our partner, Banque Populaire Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (BPAURA), Damien Guelpa, a student at ESC Clermont BS, had the immense privilege of being selected as an Olympic torchbearer for the Paris 2024 Games. Here are some questions about his journey and this incredible opportunity he seized!

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your studies at ESC Clermont BS?

My name is Damien Guelpa. After high school, I completed a BTS in alternation, then joined ESC Clermont BS for the third and final year of the Bachelor in International Management program, enrolled in the work-study track. I opted to continue my studies at ESC Clermont BS, and I am now in my 2nd year of the Grande Ecole Program, (again in the work-study track) and working as a key-account manager at AUTODISTRIBUTION. And as a little anecdote, I have been with the same company since the BTS!

What was the selection process to become an official torchbearer for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games?

I discovered the call for applications from Banque Populaire Auvergne Rhône-Alpes on social media. Following that, I submitted my application and motivation letter, which were pre-selected by BPAURA and then forwarded to Paris 2024 for further selection. The process spanned 5 to 6 months, with the official results announced in January 2024.

Do you know more about Banque Populaire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes’ involvement in this event?

BPAURA, a partner of ESC Clermont Business School, is the Official Sponsor of the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays for Paris 2024. They selected 500 individual torchbearers and 288 scouts (of which I am one) to form 12 collective relays for the region’s branches of the Banque Populaire.  

What does it mean to you to have been a torchbearer for the Olympic Flame?

It’s a childhood dream come true for me! We see this on TV and think that only celebrities or high-level athletes can do it; so, it’s incredible to think that I, Damien, took part in this event.

Being an athlete myself, I strongly identify with the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games: sharing, unity, inclusion, sociability… This makes me even prouder to have been a torchbearer!

Do you plan to attend the Olympic Games this summer?

Yes, of course. I plan to attend the men’s rugby sevens tournament and two basketball games, including one with the French team. And thanks (again) to Banque Populaire Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, I got tickets for the bronze medal match in women’s football. The schedule is quite packed, but I can’t wait!

What message would you like to convey to students and future students of ESC Clermont BS about the various opportunities offered by the school?

This experience taught me to push my limits, not to set barriers, to always seek self-improvement, and to get involved in various projects, solicitations, and experiences… I encourage students to fully engage in student life and to savor every moment of their years at the school: they represent the most enriching period of our lives, offering the opportunity to grow, forge new relationships, and explore new horizons.

Don’t miss any opportunity to participate in events organized by the school, whether they are conferences, company events, afterworks, and so on! This is how great professional and personal opportunities will come your way.

Any final words?

I want to thank ESC Clermont BS, which, thanks to its links with numerous companies, allows us to seize incredible opportunities! A big thank you to BPAURA for enabling young students to participate in such an event. And finally, thank you to all my friends and especially to Mathieu Monzauge for welcoming me into the ESC Clermont BS Alumni Association!