OLYMPICS: Biathlon-Jacquelin to wear "Pirate" Pantani's earring in Milano Cortina tribute

ANTERSELVA, Italy – French biathlete Emilien Jacquelin will pay tribute to his sporting hero, Marco “The Pirate” Pantani, by wearing an earring lent to him by the late cyclist’s family as he competes at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.

In an Instagram post, Jacquelin shared that Pantani’s family allowed him to borrow the earring, an iconic accessory that, along with the Italian’s famous bandana and shaven head, symbolized the climbing legend in the world of sports. Pantani passed away from acute cocaine poisoning on February 14, 2004, at the age of 34.

“Today, I have the privilege of keeping the Pantani flame alive for a few races,” Jacquelin wrote. “During these two weeks of the Olympic Games, I will be wearing Marco's earring. His family is lending it to me so I can race with it here in Italy. Through this earring, this accessory that made him so unique, it’s not just Marco who resonates within me, but an idea of competition: audacity, panache, the courage to attack when no one else dares.”

Currently ranked eighth in the world, the 30-year-old Jacquelin explained that Pantani had inspired him since he was five. The French athlete will aim to add to his two Olympic silver medals from Beijing at this year’s Games.

“It’s my way of paying tribute to him. Of saying thank you. Of showing him that his legacy lives on, that his story has instilled in children a love of sport, the desire to push their limits, to dare, to go against all odds,” Jacquelin added.

He also thanked Pantani’s family for their gesture. “Thank you to Tonina Pantani, Paolo Pantani, and Sergio Piumetto for allowing little Emilien to live his dream: running in Italy at the Olympic Games, with Marco by my side. Grazie Marco.”

-Reporting by Philip O’Connor; additional reporting by Vincent Daheron; Editing by Christian Radnedge/Reuters