Du Chemin Vert l'or

A monumental portrait of Jimmy Gressier by Zabou transforms the wall into a celebration of athletic triumph and local pride. The French middle‑ and long‑distance runner — fresh from winning gold and bronze at the 2025 World Athletics Championships — appears in a moment of pure victory, draped in the French flag, his gold medal gleaming against the monochrome depth of Zabou’s signature style.

Based on a photograph by Lindford, the portrait captures Gressier with an expression overflowing with joy, relief, and hope — the emotional afterglow of an athlete who has pushed beyond limits. Painted with the support of EKO Agency and Kiprun, the mural is more than a tribute: it is a gift from the municipality to the people of Le Chemin Vert, the district in Boulogne‑sur‑Mer where Gressier grew up and remains deeply admired.

Zabou amplifies his story through scale and contrast. Her crisp black‑and‑white rendering grounds Jimmy in realism, while subtle colour accents radiate outward like the momentum of his career. The result is a portrait that feels both intimate and iconic — a beacon for young athletes who see in Jimmy not just a champion, but a neighbour who rose from their streets to the world stage.