Jacques Goddet

Jacques Goddet ( born June 21, 1905 in Paris, † 15 December 2000) was a French sports journalist and director of the Tour de France from 1936 until 1986.

Biography

Jacques Goddets father, Victor Goddet, was co-founder and treasurer of the magazine L'Auto, the predecessor of L' Équipe, as the directors decided in 1903 to call the Tour de France to life. After Goddet had finished his studies, he became in 1931 chief editor of L'Auto. 1932 Goddet was the first Special Rapporteur of the French press at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. In 1936, he took over from Henri Desgrange, the Directorate of the Tour de France. 1937, during his first tour, Goddet allowed the introduction of the gearshift, against which Desgrange had always resisted.

During the Second World War Goddet was strictly against a resumption of the tour, fearing that his "Peace in July " would be abused by the Nazis. As co-owner of the Vélodrome d' Hiver, however, he could not prevent the velodrome was used without his consent by the Germans for the Vélodrome d' Hiver Rafle you, as there 13,000 Jews were imprisoned before their deportation in July 1942. Goddet called this until his death as "the greatest sorrow of his life ."

1947 reanimated Goddet the Tour de France, which he headed from 1963 along with Félix Levitan until 1986. Then Goddet gave the tasks from step by step until he appointed 1988 Jean -Marie Leblanc to tour director. During his tenure as director Goddet led, inter alia, also the green jersey and the polka-dot jersey for the best climber one, also the time bonuses at target arrivals.

Jacques Goddet died on 15 December 2000 at the age of 95 years. The funeral took place at the Invalides in Paris, where only the largest French will be honored. Today a monument at the Col du Tourmalet is reminiscent of Jacques Goddet.

Goddet as a person

Among his employees Goddet enjoyed high respect, as he still remained a sports journalist in addition to his activities as a tour director, newspaper chief and creator of other sporting events. Jacques Goddet was a typical early riser and a friend to the gym. He leaned lifts strictly, preferring always to use the stairs. On particularly hot days Goddet led the tour stages almost always in the uniform of a British colonial officer, with khaki shirt, knee-length shorts and pith helmet. Jean -Marie Leblanc, Goddets successor, was still regularly consult with him before he felled important decisions, such as when the Festina Affair (1998).