- Martin Fourcade retired after his last race, a victory over the pursuit in Kontiolahti.
- 20 Minutes asked its readers to tell us about the star who popularized biathlon.
One last victory and then goes away. If you had to add to the build of the guy, difficult to do better: for the last race of his career, Martin Fourcade won Saturday during the pursuit of Kontiolahti, in Finland. A perfect goodbye to the public, who wanted to return the favor. Many of you have indeed sent us messages to discuss what you will remember from the quadruple world champion.
“What an emotion and what a last race!” Says Fabrice. An exceptional athlete both humanly and sportingly. An example for young and old alike. One of the greatest French sportsmen of all time. For me, it is the greatest that I have had the honor and the happiness to encourage. Much success and joy for him and all those around him. Thank you so much. "
What is most striking is that our internet users often put forward the Fourcade list of winners as much as it gives off humanly. "Martin you made me spend passionate weekends, emotions going to tears, so I say thank you for me but also for French sport," writes Arlette. Your reserve but also your tears made me fall for a whole man, a true national hero even if you have never taken the big head. "
Thank you for making us discover biathlon
The adjectives that come up most often: "humble", "human", "exemplary". “Well done Mr. Fourcade for all the moments of happiness that you have given us, your humility, your kindness towards others, your fair play. You are a great man, ”sums up Denise perfectly. Fabrice continues: “He is always lucid, humble and respectful towards his adversaries. His post-race analyzes are still relevant. "
This is also what struck Daniel, who would have dreamed of "seeing and greeting you at least once", "so I take this message to say thank you for the man you are, and the extraordinary moments that I could live in front of the TV. You have this particular passion that passes through the screen, and it is always a good memory. I wish you a good and good life in the future. "
"Driving force in the emergence of the magnificent French team"
His personality, his track record, Martin Fourcade has also brought something else to the French: biathlon. If Raphaël Poirée or Vincent Defranes had started the job, Fourcade is the one that allowed this hyper telegenic sport to take a big place in the media space. Isabelle: “Thank you for making this unknown sport visible and so balanced (concentration, perseverance, courage), thank you for showing human emotions and questions, stimulating sports rivalries, a functioning 'team. "
Antoine thus remembers having "had tears" when Fourcade passed in front of him this year, at the World Cup stage of Grand-Bornand. "Thank you for carrying the hopes of French biathlon so high and far," writes Patricia. You carried the taste and the sense of effort. You have shown that seemingly impossible dreams can become possible. What an individual and collective performance thus bringing strength and teamwork. What strong shared values. What emotions. What beautiful victories. Thank you for the biathlon on the public channel! "
And if Martin Fourcade is already terribly missing from our readers (and us too, at 20 Minutes ), they thank him for having provided training for the next generation before leaving. "You have been a driving force in the emergence of the magnificent French team this season," says Antoine, supplemented by Alain: "Thank you for creating a spirit in this beautiful French team".
Finally, the only regret of our contributors is that Martin Fourcade was not entitled to the outing that his career deserved, due to the closed camera imposed in Finland by the coronavirus. "You would have deserved the applause of a whole public in fervor for your arrival," concludes Mathieu. Enjoy your family now and have a nice sporting retreat! "
Sport
From the kid from Vancouver to the rebirth of 2020, the highlights of Martin Fourcade's career
- Testimony
- Martin fourcade
- Biathlon
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