Like its own culture casting a magic spell on the world's art. French sport too has captivated the minds of sports lovers and enthusiasts alike. The concept of Ancient Greek Olympic games was revived by the French educator Pierre de Coubertin. He was a great visionary when he thought that Modern Olympics could be used to foster close ties among nations. Due to Pierre de Coubertin single hand initiative the international Olympic Committee was founded on June 23 1894 and two years later in 1896 Pierre de Coubertin the Olympic body's first President. Like other nations.
The tourism leader of the world France is home for many prestigious sports tournaments. The world's ultimate cycling race - Tour de France is held every year in July. One of the most important tennis championships. The French open is held between May and June. France has also given to the world many tennis stars : Amelie Mauresmo the former world no 1 tennis player has won two grand slams Australian Open and Wimbeldon both in 2006.
Mary Pierce another former world no 1 has won four grand slam titles.
Pierce won the singles Australian Open in 1995 and French Open in 2000. In the 80's Former French Davis Cup team captain Yannick Noah won the French Open in 1983.
The premier sailing race Route du Rhum commences from Saint Malo - Brittany in France to Pointe-à-Pitre Carribbean Island. This transatlantic race which started in 1978 is held once in four years. Some of the famous yatchmen who have won this race are Mike Birch and Marc Pajot . Motor racing Is another very old sport of France . The world famous Grand Prix Motor racing had its origin in France. The very first motor race in the word was the 1894 Paris -Rouben race. The Automobile Club de France (ACF) which began functioning in 1895 execises great influence on world motor racing. The first ever Grand Prix which was won by Renault at le Mans in 1906 was the brainchild of ACF. Alain Prost the four times winner of Formula One World Championship. Another famous driver Thierry Sabine was instrumental in the formation of the famous Paris -Dakar Rally. Judo is another famous Olympic Sports . France has a long association with rugby . The first rugby team in France came into being in 1872. It's national team has won many international tournaments and grand slams . In 1998 the French won their sixth grand slam . Serge Blanco, Thierry Lacroix, Philippe Sella are the famous French names in the world rugby.
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French Judoka's have won international recognition . David Douillet is a household name in France. Douillet is a winner of two heavyweight Olympic gold. It will be a grave folly to forget the important place football occupies in France . Football is a very popular sport in France . In football France won the 1998 FIFA World Cup trouncing the mighty Brazil 3-0. Eight years later in 2006 at Germany, Zinedine Zidane led France lost the FIFA World Cup final to Italy 5-3 . It's national team has also won the prestigious European Cup in 1984 and 2000. French footballers like Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Michel Platini, Eric Cantona are renowned worldwide. Football is a popular sport in France . Some of the world's famous professional French football clubs of France are Auxerre, Bastia, Lens, Monaco, Marseille. In addition the gorgeous beaches and the majestic Alps are also abodes of many sports like surfing, boating, rock climbing and skiing .A unique game called Petanque is also played in France. This game requires dexterity on the part of the player to throw large metal balls as close to the small wooden balls . A grave type surface is required to play Petanque.
Though major international sports event are held in France which brings lot of international tourist inflow in the country.
However the annual sports events like French Open, Tour de France, Paris Marathon, and French F1 Grand Prix attract foreign tourists in great number.
To understand these annual sports events better please click on the following links.
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