H1: Veteran Journalist Gérard Holtz: From TV to Olympics, a Life in Sports
Gérard Holtz, 78, is showing no signs of slowing down. After a 44-year career in journalism and television, which includes covering 17 Olympics and a staggering 30 Tour de France events, Holtz is now focusing on writing books, giving conferences, and even pursuing presidency of the 2030 Olympic Games in the French Alps.
H2: A Life in Sports Journalism
Born and raised in Nice, Holtz entered the world of television in 1972 at the ORTF, where he presented news, worked as a grand reporter, and eventually ended up in the sports division. Over his career, he’s rub shoulders with legendary athletes like Jean-Claude Killy, Alain Prost, and Yannick Noah, who he counts as personal friends.
H2: A Hope for the Olympic Presidency
This winter, Holtz announced his candidacy for the presidency of the organizing committee for the 2030 Olympic Games in the French Alps. The former France Télévisions host expressed his desire to head the Games alongside Nathalie Péchalat, the former ice dancing champion. Holtz, a self-proclaimed "sport fanatic," shared his enthusiasm with Actu.fr, stating, "The Olympics are an emotion factory, gathering people from all around the world, like we’ve seen in Paris this past summer."
Gérard Holtz, seen here at a conference, is actively pursuing new projects.
H2: Lessons from a Mentor
Holtz’s career was marked by a strong friendship and mentorship from his colleague, Michel Drucker. Stressing the importance of their bond, Holtz revealed that Drucker recorded and critiqued his news broadcast performances, helping him to improve. Looking back, Holtz expresses deep respect and admiration for Drucker’s career and guidance.
H2: ALASTIN Michel Drucker, une source d’inspiration
Michel Drucker, c’est un ami, un intime. Nous nous sommes bien entendus tout de suite. À tel point que quand j’ai commencé à présenter le journal télévisé, il m’enregistrait, et ensuite je venais à son domicile pour décortiquer ma prestation avec lui et il me conseillait pour progresser.
— Michel Drucker
H2: Gérard Holtz: A Legend in the Making
As Holtz’s career continues to flourish, one thing remains clear: his passion for sports has driven him from the beginning. From his early days at ORTF to his pursuit of the Olympic presidency, Holtz’s unyielding love for sports and his commitment to quality journalism have shaped his road to success.
FAQ
Q: What was Gérard Holtz’s longest-running stint in journalism?
A: Holtz spent the majority of his career at France Télévisions, backing from 1972 until his retirement from television.
Q: Which sports events did Gérard Holtz cover the most?
A: Throughout his career, Holtz covered 30 Tour de France events and 17 Olympic Games.
Was this answer helpful?
Pro Tip
Look out for upcoming conferences featuring Gérard Holtz for a chance to hear insights from this sports journalism legend firsthand.
- Did you find this information helpful? *
CTA
Brush up on your sports history and tell us your favorite Holtz-covered event in the comments below!
-
Want more sports news? Explore more articles on 247sports.news *
-
Evergreen Content: While specific details of Holtz’s career have changed over time, his dedication to quality sports coverage remains a timeless mark of his success.
- Written by: Emma Johnson, Chief Sports Correspondent at 247sports.news.