新澳门开奖结果

Asterix is 鈥嬧�媋 small cartoon character, symbol of Gallic resistance against the Roman invaders. During one of his adventures, he found himself propelled to Olympia, the historic cradle of the Games. Many years later, during the Olympics organized in 1900 in Paris, French athletes particularly distinguished themselves. It must be admitted that they made up the majority of registered participants, but they were also particularly brilliant in games linked to regional customs.

At the International Competitions of Physical Exercises and Sports* of 1900, out of 997 registered, more than half were French, to speak only of the athletes whose events were recognized by the IOC. In fact, the total number of participants in the Competitions exceeds 58,000… among whom it is easy to understand that the French are the most numerous for practical reasons of transport and accommodation. Thus in swimming, events recognized as Olympic or not, 117 participants out of 183 were born in France.

Without minimizing the brilliant record of the French, it is clear that their massive presence undoubtedly partly explains their 102 medals (27 gold, 41 silver and 34 bronze). In gymnastics, 108 competitors out of 135 are French… and the three medals of the single competition (comprising 16 events) go to them! For the record, the USA, fielding (only) 75 athletes, won 47 medals (19 in gold, 14 in silver and as many in bronze).

But if the Americans clearly impose themselves in athletics (with 39 medals including 16 gold), the French monopolize the medals in fencing (15), sailing (24), archery (13), without it’s about a magic potion (like in the adventures of Asterix).
And as for competitions not recognized as Olympic, their hegemony is even more blatant. All participants in the cannon shooting competitions are French, officers and non-commissioned officers. The same goes for 鈥減茅tanque鈥�: 216 competitors responded to the call for this 鈥渘ational sport鈥�, even if on the alley some are competing for Lyonnaise boules on the one hand, and those practicing Parisian boules on the one hand.

Each country having, in some way, its heroes, Michel Th茅ato remained in the history of the 1900 Olympic Games by winning, in scorching heat, the marathon which crossed the boulevards of Paris and the aisles left by the old fortifications of the city*. Accompanied for a time by members of his Saint Mand茅 club, the 22-year-old cabinetmaker gets lost in the bustling mid-week traffic where cars, cyclists, trams and carts rub shoulders. During his coronation, he will display his 鈥淔rench self-esteem鈥�, because he 鈥渟ucceeded in beating these foreigners鈥� [9 runners representing 4 countries, 5 French being in the running]. Yet irony of history: Th茅ato was Luxembourgish by birth! The second that day, Emile Champion (鈥渘ative French鈥�) was a commercial employee. Two athletes far from the aristocracy which then dominated so many other sports*.

In 1924, Henri Deglane, a young firefighter of the same background, was recognized as the winner in Greco-Roman wrestling, after a protest. Without fearing his opponent, the 40-year-old Swede Claes Johansson, Olympic champion in 1912 and 1920, the young Frenchman denounced his competitor’s 鈥渟hady tricks鈥� and obtained an additional round from which he clearly emerged a winner. Honor was safe and his reputation established.

A destiny comparable to that of Charles Rigoulot. This weightlifter, the son of a butcher with an impressive physique, lifted a total of 502.5 kg in the light-heavy category, earning him the title of 鈥渢he strongest man in the world鈥� which he kept long after his performance.