Marc Ventouillac, 65, a journalist with the sports newspaper “L’Équipe” since 1990, has spent his professional life recounting the exploits of top French champions, analyzing their performances from pole vaulter Jean Galfione to biathlete Martin Fourcade.
Starting his career as a young athlete training at the Revel stadium, Ventouillac excelled in hammer throwing at the local club, winning a departmental title. His career was marked by covering major sports events and competitions worldwide.
Recently elected President for Europe of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), Ventouillac aims to enhance the organization’s role in supporting sports journalists and promoting press freedom. He plans to use his experience and expertise to further the association’s mission.
Reflecting on his role carrying the Olympic flame for the Paris Olympics at Revel, Ventouillac believes that the legacy lies in the memories and emotions experienced by volunteers, spectators, and athletes. Despite physical structures left behind, funding for sporting activities in France remains a challenge.
Over his thirty-year career, Ventouillac observed a shift in the journalism profession, with less direct access to athletes due to intermediaries like agents and social media.
Notable athletes like Jean Galfione and Martin Fourcade have left a lasting impact on Ventouillac, who cherishes the strong emotional connections he forged with them.
Ventouillac’s favorite place for a major sports event was the vintage Olympic stadium in Stockholm, followed by Helsinki, with the iconic Bird’s Nest in Beijing leaving the most lasting impression on him.
A fan of rowing for its beauty and the camaraderie of its practitioners, Ventouillac plans to spend his retirement in Revel with his wife, Anne, engaging in cycling, possibly joining the local swimming club, and organizing unique sports events like the 1900 Paris Olympics reenactment, showcasing unconventional disciplines from that era. Additionally, he aims to establish initiatives connecting entrepreneurs with job seekers through his extensive network.
