Céline Géraud: From Judo Champion to Europe 1 Radio Host – A Journey of Success

When we were the first woman at the head of “Stade 2” (2013-2017), when we presented “Temptation Island” when the show had big resources on TF1 (2005-2008) and that we challenged the whole world on a tatami with a title of European champion and vice-world champion in the 1980s, we can legitimately progress serenely in professional life. This is the case of Céline Géraud, a sports enthusiast, who, in 2021, decided to leave her comfort zone to become head of the “society-culture” department of Europe 1 before taking charge, since September 2023 , from the 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. slot, “Europe 1 1 p.m.”.

This is how Céline Géraud works, with a challenge. “With always the same idea in mind: opening the field of possibilitiesshe says in the preamble. In this profession, you can touch everything but when you start in sports journalism, you are quickly pigeonholed and it is not easy to get out of this box. In 2021, there is this opportunity at Europe 1 to become head of department and it tempted me to revive a department, to bring it back to life, to challenge myself, to do human management.”

The sixth sense of judo

After two busy years, between television sets, the 1 p.m.-2 p.m. slot is reaching out in September 2023.

“Being connected to the information, giving listeners as much information as possible, interacting with the columnists, I really liked all of that,” she rewinds. Above all, Céline Géraud finds behind her microphone the same sensations as during her career as a high-level athlete: “the ability to repeat efforts, stress management, mentality. Every day, we start with a blank sheet of paper and current events can disrupt everything at the last moment, as with the tragic murder of Professor Dominique Bernard in Arras shortly after. time before we go on air.” The parallel with judo is omnipresent in his daily life on the airwaves.

“We have a sixth sense in judo, we can very quickly sense the opponent and it’s a very useful sensation when we receive guests. An hour of broadcast is short and intense at the same time because everything is sequenced, rhythmic, precise There is a form of permanent flexibility, being solid on my supports and flexible on the upper body, I would not have had the same career, it gave me a basis. incredible, a serenity Even when the rhythm is frantic, I must not take the listener hostage, I must accompany them peacefully, while putting humor in my voice..

To think that Céline Géraud imagined herself as a detective in her childhood before quickly choosing her path: that of journalism. His dream? “Present ”Stage 2” and make the Olympic Games as a judokate”. She will have only completed one of the two but will quickly catch up on the Olympiads by covering them for France Télévisions in particular. This summer, she will once again be taking part in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on behalf of Europe 1 and the JDD. And stress-free.

“Europe 1 1 p.m.”, Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., on Europe 1.