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Part of a group of French skiers reaching their peak in recent seasons, Thomas Clarion won his first major international medals with two bronzes at Sochi 2014.
He followed that up a year later with gold and silver at the 2015 World Championships in Cable, USA.
After working with new guide Antoine Bollet last season, he reached the No.3 spot in the overall men’s cross-country visually impaired rankings.
Clarion lost his sight at the age of 20 but was already a keen skier, having being inspired by the gold-medal winning French women’s relay team from the Tignes 1992 Olympic Games.
"After losing my sight, I turned to my sporting activities as if I needed them to cope,” Clarion said. “Over the years, this 'need' was transformed into a pleasure, and it was from this moment that I was able to develop myself through competition."
He will be aiming to further develop in 2017 as he goes for gold at the World Championships in Finsterau, Germany.
Photo Gallery
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Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Vision impairment
Origin of Impairment
Acquired
Further personal information
Family
One son
Residence
Bonneville, FRA
Occupation
Physiotherapist
Languages
French
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
He learned to ski in 1988 in Haute-Savoie, France.
Why this sport?
He was initially inspired to get into elite sport by the French female biathlon team that won gold in the relay at the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville. He enjoys being outside in nature, the sensation of skiing, keeping fit, and also believes the sport helps him to forget his impairment. "Adrenalin removes all fear, and I'm totally focused on my technique and skiing smoothly. Nothing else matters but living in the moment."
International debut
Year
2008
Competing for
France
Tournament
World Cup
General interest
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning two bronze medals at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi. (Athlete, 07 Mar 2018)
Most influential person in career
French Nordic combined athletes Fabrice Guy and Sylvain Guillaume. (Athlete, 07 Mar 2018)
Hero / Idol
French biathlete Martin Fourcade. (Athlete, 07 Mar 2018)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"In competition there is always a first and a last. What matters is not being second of yourself." (malakoffmederic.com, Feb 2017)
Awards and honours
He was named Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour by the French government in 2018. He was previously named a Knight of the National Order of Merit by the French government in 2014. (nordicmag.info, 11 Apr 2018; legifrance.gouv.fr, 20 Apr 2014)
Other sports
He claimed two bronze medals in cross-country skiing at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, and has been involved in Para swimming at club level in France. (SportsDeskOnline, 16 Mar 2014; ffnatation.fr, 06 Jun 2010)
Impairment
At age 20 he lost his sight due to retinitis pigmentosa. (Athlete, 07 Mar 2014)
Other information
RETIREMENT
He retired from competitive Nordic skiing in late 2018. "The high-level ski adventure stops for me. I have decided to put an end to my practice." (Facebook page, 28 Nov 2018)
He retired from competitive Nordic skiing in late 2018. "The high-level ski adventure stops for me. I have decided to put an end to my practice." (Facebook page, 28 Nov 2018)
Results
| Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 12.5 km Individual Visually impaired | Final Round | 5 | ||
| Men's 3 km Pursuit Visually impaired | Qualification | 7 | ||
| Men's 3 km Pursuit Visually impaired | Final Round | 8 | ||
| Men's 1 km Sprint Visually impaired | Qualification | 15 | ||
| Men's 10 km Visually impaired | Final Round | 9999 | ||
| Men's 20 km Visually impaired | Final Round | 6 | ||
| Men's 1x4 / 2x5 km Relay Open | Final Round | 6 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Long Distance - Free Style VI | Final | 2013-02-27 | 6 | |
| Men's Short Distance VI | Final | 2013-02-28 | 6 | |
| Men's Middle Distance VI | Final | 2013-03-01 | 12 | |
| Men's Long Distance VI | Final | 2013-03-03 | 13 | |
| Men's Middle Distance - Classic VI | Final | 2013-03-05 | 6 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 7.5 km Visually Impaired | Final Round | 2014-03-08 | 15 | |
| Men's 1 km Sprint Visually Impaired | Qualification | 2014-03-12 | 10 | |
| 4x2.5 km Open Relay | Final Round | 2014-03-15 | 3 | |
| Men's 10 km Visually Impaired | Final Round | 2014-03-16 | 3 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Short Distance VI | Race 1 | 2015-01-24 | 11 | |
| Men's Long Distance - Free Style VI | Race 1 | 2015-01-25 | 2 | |
| Men's Sprint - Classic VI | Race 1 | 2015-01-28 | 8 | |
| Men's Middle Distance - Classic VI | Race 1 | 2015-01-31 | 5 | |
| Open Relay | Final | 2015-02-01 | 1 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Sprint - Free Style VI | Final | 2017-02-12 | 3 | |
| Open Relay | Final | 2017-02-15 | 1 | |
| Men's Long Distance - Classic VI | Final | 2017-02-16 | 5 | |
| Men's Middle Distance - Free Style VI | Final | 2017-02-19 | 2 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 20km Free Visual Impaired | Final | 2018-03-12 | 3 | |
| Men's 1.5km Sprint Classic Visual Impaired | Final | 2018-03-14 | 8 | |
| Men's 10km Classic Visual Impaired | Final | 2018-03-17 | 4 | |
| 4x2.5km Open Relay | Final | 2018-03-18 | 1 |
