Cerermony - Aurélien Giraud, World Skateboarding Champion, Immortalized at Musée Grévin

By Mulder, Paris, Musée Grévin, 22 february 2024

On February 22, the famous French wax museum proudly introduced Aurélien Giraud, World Skateboarding Champion in 2023, to its prestigious galleries, in a first for the Musée Grévin. This is the first time the museum has paid tribute to the urban discipline of skateboarding, confirming its commitment to reflecting the diversity of contemporary sports.

Born on February 3, 1998 in Lyon, Aurélien Giraud began skateboarding at the age of 5, revealing his exceptional talent at an early age. Aurélien Giraud's dedication and passion propelled him into the spotlight, winning his first national competition, the V7 teenage tour, at the age of just 7. Since then, he has continued to captivate national and international audiences with his extraordinary skills, winning victories and championships.

As a sport, skateboarding is not just an activity for Aurélien Giraud, but a true passion that has defined his identity. His formative years spent at Lyon's Gerland skatepark laid the foundations for his brilliant career. Aurélien Giraud's triumph at the prestigious Tampa Am in Florida at the age of 17 marked the start of his successful career. Subsequent victories at the French championships in Biarritz (2019) and Hyères (2022) consolidated his status among the world's skateboarding elite.

The pinnacle of Auréien Giraud's career came in February 2023, when he won the street skateboard world championship in the United Arab Emirates, aged 25. With the Skate 2024 Olympics in Paris in his sights, Aurélien Giraud is aiming for a gold medal, raising high hopes among his supporters.

Renowned sculptor Stéphane Barret has painstakingly captured Aurélien Giraud's dynamic energy and distinctive personality in a wax sculpture, unveiled to the public on February 23. The six-month creation process involved detailed posing sessions, intricate measurements and meticulous work on elements such as hair and facial make-up.

Aurélien Giraud now takes his place among other sports legends at the Musée Grévin, including Camille Lacourt, Teddy Riner and Clarisse Agbegnenou. His wax figure promises to bring a new dimension to the immersive experience the museum offers its diverse audiences.

In parallel with this historic celebration, Street League Skateboarding (SLS) 2024 Paris, the world's first professional street skateboarding competition, will take center stage in France on February 24 at the Adidas Arena Paris, Porte de la Chapelle. The competition serves as a final rehearsal for Aurélien Giraud and other French athletes before the eagerly-awaited Olympic Games.

Created in 1882 on the Grands Boulevards in Paris, the Musée Grévin continues to attract over 900,000 visitors a year. Evolving with the times, the museum offers an entertaining experience, with recent additions including Denis Brogniart, Antoine Griezmann, Dwayne Johnson and many more. Initiatives such as NUIT AU MUSEE, classical concerts and interactive experiences reinforce its status as the embodiment of Parisian culture and leisure.

By immortalizing Aurélien Giraud, the Musée Grévin celebrates not only a skateboarding champion, but also the diversity of sporting disciplines that enrich its history. The new wax sculpture, accessible to the public from February 23, promises an immersive and captivating experience for visitors of all ages, consolidating the Musée Grévin as a must-see cultural destination in Paris.

You can discover our photos of this ceremony on our Flickr page

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville