Category Archives: Sports

Il fait plus qu’il ne le faut

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Patricia Gilbert

For years, I’ve enjoyed a page-a-day calendar from New York’s Metropolitan Museum. Recently, there was a remarkable photograph of two fencers – or was it one fencer in time lapse? I used to fence and I know how difficult it … Continue reading →

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Une victoire par K-O

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Patricia Gilbert

French boxer Marcellin “Marcel” Cerdan was born on July 22, 1916 in Algeria when it was a French colony. His professional career began in Morocco with a victory that started a streak of 47 consecutive wins that lasted for over four … Continue reading →

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En boucle

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Patricia Gilbert

This was a huge weekend for French sports. Le Tour de France is in full swing, and under-dog Marion Bartoli won the women’s singles title at Wimbledon. Born in the village of Haute-Loire, her idol as a teen was Pete … Continue reading →

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La Grande Boucle

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Patricia Gilbert

The Tour de France, that mythic bike race that crisscrosses France, turns 100 this year. Drug scandals aside, this is an athletic tour de force. The French Senate, which is located within the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, is marking … Continue reading →

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Une patinoire

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Patricia Gilbert

There’s a new holiday event in Paris this year. For the first time ever, the Grand Palais has installed a huge skating rink under the central glass dome from now until January 6, 2013. It’s actually the biggest temporary skating … Continue reading →

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Vivre en forme

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Patricia Gilbert

French racing cyclist Jeannie Longo was born on October 31, 1958. At the age of 54, she’s still competing and is one of the cycling greats of all time. Longo has competed in seven Olympics games, from 1984 to 2008. In … Continue reading →

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L’essentiel ce n’est pas d’avoir vaincu mais de s’être bien battu

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Patricia Gilbert

The International Olympic Committee was formed on June 23, 1894. The driving force behind the not for profit NGO was Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin.  The Baron wanted to restore international harmony and cooperation through resurrecting the ancient games. The … Continue reading →

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C’est géant!

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Patricia Gilbert

French wrestler André the Giant was born on May 19, 1946 in Grenoble. His real name was André René Roussimoff. He suffered from a disorder that resulted in his enormous size of 7’ 4” and 475 pounds. He was over … Continue reading →

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Le porte-drapeau

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Patricia Gilbert

France just announced that its flag-bearer or porte-drapeau (port drahpoe) for the 2012 Summer Jeux Olympiques will be fencer Laura Flessel-Colovic. This will be the fifth Olympics for the 40 year-old mother of an 11 year-old daughter. Flessel has won five … Continue reading →

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Les Jeux Olympiques

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Patricia Gilbert

The second modern summer Olympics started in Paris on May 14, 1900. Les jeux Olympiques (lays yuh oh-lam-peak) were part of the Exposition Universelle celebrations. Unlike today’s games, they continued until October. Of the 1,000 competitors, women were included for … Continue reading →

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