Olympic Relics Scandal: CNOSF Vice-President Stéphane Hatot Resigns Following Resale Probe

The leadership of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) has been rocked by a scandal involving the illicit sale of Olympic memorabilia. Stéphane Hatot, the vice-president in charge of culture, resigned from all his positions at the CNOSF on Monday, April 13, 2026, after an investigation revealed he was operating a lucrative business reselling items from the Paris 2024 Games.

The resignation comes just two days after a detailed report by L’Équipe exposed Hatot’s activities. The CNOSF confirmed it has “taken note” of the resignation, describing Hatot’s actions as “particularly problematic.”

The ‘Wscollection95’ Operation

According to the investigation, Hatot utilized a pseudonym, “Wscollection95,” to sell Paris 2024 relics on platforms such as eBay, Vinted, and various classified ad sites. The name “W” refers to Waldi, the dachshund mascot of the 1972 Munich Games, which is likewise the name of Hatot’s own dog and a company he established in April 2025.

The items being sold were not standard merchandise. Instead, they were iconic pieces of the Games, many of which were obtained for free or at a steep discount. For those unfamiliar with the scale of these “relics,” we are talking about items that were never intended for the open market, often reserved for athletes or specific event staff.

The reported listings included some high-ticket items that highlight the nature of the business:

• Marie-Antoinette Costume: A piece from the opening ceremony’s “Tableau of Liberty” (featuring Gojira), listed for €950.
• Exclusive Phryge: A mascot figure given exclusively to gold-medal-winning Paralympic athletes, listed for €700.
• LVMH Medal Box: A luxury case manufactured by Chaumet, listed for €240.
• Basketball Tournament Chair: A piece of venue furniture listed for €999.

A Conflict of Interest at the Highest Level

What makes this case particularly jarring is Hatot’s deep integration into the Olympic movement. Beyond his role as the CNOSF vice-president for culture, Hatot served as the president of the French Federation of Strength (Fédération française de force) and the head of the French Association of Olympic and Sports Collectors (AFCOS).

By leveraging his positions to acquire and سپس flip rare items, Hatot essentially monetized the “heritage of the Games” for personal gain. This creates a glaring conflict of interest for a man tasked with overseeing the very culture and preservation of Olympic history he was selling off piece by piece.

CNOSF Response and Potential Legal Fallout

The reaction from the CNOSF was swift. President Amélie Oudéa-Castéra immediately referred the matter to the organization’s ethics committee to analyze the facts. While Hatot has stepped down, the CNOSF has made it clear that his resignation does not end the investigation.

The committee’s findings will be released shortly, and the CNOSF has stated it will draw “all the consequences that may be necessary” from the results. More importantly, the organization is preparing for potential criminal proceedings. If the ethics committee establishes elements that meet a criminal qualification, the CNOSF will file a report under Article 40 of the French code of criminal procedure without delay.

Why This Matters for Sports Governance

This isn’t just about a few overpriced chairs or costumes; it’s about the integrity of sports governance. When high-ranking officials use their access to profit from events meant to inspire the world, it undermines the spirit of the Olympic Charter. For a global audience, this serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle to maintain transparency within national Olympic committees.

The fallout from the Paris 2024 Games was supposed to be a legacy of sporting excellence and urban renewal. Instead, the “legacy” in this instance appears to be a private inventory of collectibles sold to the highest bidder.

Key Takeaways from the Scandal

• Rapid Exit: Stéphane Hatot resigned from all CNOSF duties within 48 hours of the L’Équipe report.
• The Method: Used a company and pseudonym (“Wscollection95”) to sell rare items on eBay and Vinted.
• The Loot: Items included Paralympic gold-medal Phryges and opening ceremony costumes.
• Legal Risk: Potential criminal reporting via Article 40 of the code of criminal procedure.
• Institutional Action: The CNOSF ethics committee is currently conducting a formal analysis of the facts.

The next confirmed checkpoint in this saga will be the release of the CNOSF ethics committee’s conclusions, which the organization says will be known “quickly.”

What do you think about the resale of Olympic relics by officials? Should there be stricter laws governing the ownership of Games memorabilia? Let us know in the comments.