World Table Tennis Champion 1993
Double Olympic Medalist 1992 · 2000
President of INSEP 2014 - 2021
Director of Sports for Paris 2024 2015 - 2023

At just 13 years old, driven by his passion for table tennis, Jean-Philippe Gatien left his family and hometown in the South of France to join INSEP, the French Olympic and Paralympic training center. He dedicated himself to a sport where few believed he could succeed, given Asia’s dominance—especially China’s. Yet, with his coach’s guidance, he developed a bold strategy: rather than imitating the Chinese style, he reinvented his own game to surprise and outplay them.

Twelve years later, he became World Champion. Some victories resonate more than others—beating the Chinese in table tennis is like defeating Brazil in football.

Today, Jean-Philippe shares this extraordinary journey and the powerful lessons he has learned along the way. He highlights the importance of capitalizing on one's strengths to stand out from the competition, the necessity of building a strong team—because even in an individual sport, success is never achieved alone—and the ability to bounce back, not only after failure but also after success. He explores the value of a strong feedback culture, the need to stay mentally fresh, the art of adapting, the courage to take risks, and the key to making a difference. He also emphasizes the importance of knowing when to step back to preserve both physical and mental well-being.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Jean-Philippe has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of French sports. As co-president of the Ambition Olympique workshops, he helped lay the groundwork for France’s Olympic bid. He then led INSEP as its president before taking charge of sports strategy for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the largest event ever organized in France.

With a rare blend of performance and elegance, strategy and humor, leadership and kindness, Jean-Philippe Gatien offers a unique and inspiring perspective on what it takes to succeed—both in sports and beyond.