Jean-François Lamour
Encyclopedia
Jean-François Lamour is a former French
fencer
and current French politician
and cabinet minister. A top fencer, he was a gold medallist at the 1984 Olympics
and 1988 Olympics
and a bronze medal winner at the 1992 Olympics
in the men's individual sabre. He was also world champion in 1987. Retiring he entered politics serving as the sports and youth counselor to the Mayor of Paris from 1993 to 1995. In 2002 he became the minister of sport and in 2004 he was given responsibility for youth in addition to this.
from Master Parent. At first, he did not enjoy fencing
all that much, while his first classes were almost too much to bear. Coach Augustin Parent was very demanding, strict and persistent. He was a master of fencing technique and followed the principle "Teach what you can do yourself" in his work with students.
Jean's first big success came in 1971 when he turned 15. That year he won the French junior championship in saber fencing. He went on to set a national record, winning the Champion of France
title 13 times from 1977 through 1992, except 1979, 1986, and 1990.
At the 1975 World Championship in Bucharest
Jean-Francois reached the semifinals, and in 1983 in Vienna
he placed fifth. His first international success came in Lausanne
in 1987, where he became World Champion. Jean is 50 years old. He is fully satisfied with the results he has achieved thanks to his persistence, willpower, self-dedication, and faith in success. And it was no accident. In the 1980s, Jean-Francois returned empty-handed from the Olympic Games
in Moscow
. He was the only one of the French team to return home without a medal. But this only reinforced his resolve and his blade.
He owes his ascent to his new coach László Szepesi, who came from Hungary
to head the French national team. At first their relations were complex as it usually happens when two strong personalities clash. All their differences ended as soon as László started coaching him. László proved himself as a talented coach, displaying exceptional knowledge in the spheres of fencing techniques, tactics, and methods.
Finally came the long-awaited international success: Jean won gold at the 1984 Olympic Games
in Los Angeles
despite extreme fatigue and anxiety that nearly paralyzed him in the final bout. Only days later he fenced in the team tournament helping the French collect another Olympic silver medal.
In 1988, Jean-Francois was awarded the Master of Saber prize. Several months later he confirmed his superior skill in Seoul
, winning Olympic gold once again and silencing his skeptics.
Jean Francois Lamour went on to be appointed as France's Minister of Sports in 2002.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
fencer
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
and current French politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and cabinet minister. A top fencer, he was a gold medallist at the 1984 Olympics
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
and 1988 Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
and a bronze medal winner at the 1992 Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
in the men's individual sabre. He was also world champion in 1987. Retiring he entered politics serving as the sports and youth counselor to the Mayor of Paris from 1993 to 1995. In 2002 he became the minister of sport and in 2004 he was given responsibility for youth in addition to this.
Biography
Jean (also called "Jeff" by his friends) was only eight years old when he started learning fencingFencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
from Master Parent. At first, he did not enjoy fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
all that much, while his first classes were almost too much to bear. Coach Augustin Parent was very demanding, strict and persistent. He was a master of fencing technique and followed the principle "Teach what you can do yourself" in his work with students.
Jean's first big success came in 1971 when he turned 15. That year he won the French junior championship in saber fencing. He went on to set a national record, winning the Champion of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
title 13 times from 1977 through 1992, except 1979, 1986, and 1990.
At the 1975 World Championship in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
Jean-Francois reached the semifinals, and in 1983 in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
he placed fifth. His first international success came in Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
in 1987, where he became World Champion. Jean is 50 years old. He is fully satisfied with the results he has achieved thanks to his persistence, willpower, self-dedication, and faith in success. And it was no accident. In the 1980s, Jean-Francois returned empty-handed from the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. He was the only one of the French team to return home without a medal. But this only reinforced his resolve and his blade.
He owes his ascent to his new coach László Szepesi, who came from Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
to head the French national team. At first their relations were complex as it usually happens when two strong personalities clash. All their differences ended as soon as László started coaching him. László proved himself as a talented coach, displaying exceptional knowledge in the spheres of fencing techniques, tactics, and methods.
Finally came the long-awaited international success: Jean won gold at the 1984 Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
despite extreme fatigue and anxiety that nearly paralyzed him in the final bout. Only days later he fenced in the team tournament helping the French collect another Olympic silver medal.
In 1988, Jean-Francois was awarded the Master of Saber prize. Several months later he confirmed his superior skill in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, winning Olympic gold once again and silencing his skeptics.
Jean Francois Lamour went on to be appointed as France's Minister of Sports in 2002.