Between sport and politics, there seems to be only one step. This is what many former athletes have been able to demonstrate during their careers. Indeed, some of them changed their lives with the desire to invest in France, by becoming a minister. David Douillet, for example, who celebrates his 55th birthday this Saturday, February 17, who you know for his prowess in judo (twice Olympic champion), held the post of Minister of Sports until 2012.
Like him, many athletes have had a political career or are considering living one. Many athletes like Alain Calmat, former figure skaterRoger Bambuck, short-lived world record holder in the 100m in 1968 and Olympic vice-champion in the specialtyGuy Drut, Olympic 110m hurdles champion in 1976, Jean-François Lamour, who won two Olympic saber fencing titlesBernard Laporte, who had been crowned champion of France with Stade français in 1998 as coach and finally Chantal Jouanno, French karate kata champion twelve times, all have one thing in common, their experience as Minister of Sports.
⋙ David Douillet is a father for the fifth time to a little girl named Blanche
Teddy Riner, next Minister of Sports?
More recently, other former athletes have joined the Government. Remember Laura Flessel, double Olympic fencing champion, who was appointed Minister of Sports in the first government by Édouard Philippe, Prime Minister of the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron. But the swordsman left her position for personal reasons in September 2018. It was Roxana Maracineanu who then replaced her. A woman also known in the sporting world, since she had won several titles: world champion in the 200m backstroke in 1998, then Olympic vice-champion at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. In 2022, she leaves office at the end of the mandate and will be replaced by Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, current Minister of Sports. L’former girlfriend of the Brazilian tennis player Gustavo Kuerten has been immersed in the world of tennis for many years. But France could have a new Minister of Sports, well known to the general public.
Teddy Riner continues to make his mark in the history of judo. On February 4, he won his eighth gold medal at the Grand Slam in Paris. This new victory propelled the heavyweight to the rank of most successful judoka of the Parisian tournament. But his success is far from over. Will he bring home a new medal at the Paris Olympic Games? Response in a few months. But the judoka also seems interested in another function. Invited on the 8:30 p.m. set on Sunday, February 11, he took part in the exercise of The 60s Interview. The journalist Laurent Delahousse therefore asked him the question: “Would you be ready to become Minister of Sports?” Question to which the athlete answered seriously: “I don’t close the door to anythinghonestly no use!” So, will he do like former judoka David Douillet?
Article written with the collaboration of 6medias
Photo credits: COADIC GUIREC / BESTIMAGE