2023-12-03 12:07:46
► Above the wave
“Surfing”, by Fred Bernard and Alain Bourdon. Foreword by Kelly Slater
Albin Michel, 223 p., 49 €
An Olympic discipline since the 2021 Tokyo Games, surfing has its origins in Hawaiian culture. The magnificent book by Fred Bernard, author and illustrator of comics, whose work explores human, animal and plant life, and graphic designer Alain Bourdon, himself a surfing enthusiast, offers a complete look at a discipline where music and sports come together.
Graphically effective thanks to the minimalist, blue and white drawings of Alain Bourdon; very documented and educational, the work emphasizes the philosophy: freedom. “This book succeeds in capturing what is perhaps most profound, most mysterious, most personal for me in surfing, and which has never left me since my childhood dreams,” describes the legend of the sport, the American multi-medalist Kelly Slater, who signs the foreword. Practiced by millions of enthusiasts, it will be present this summer during the Paris Games, relocated for the occasion to Tahiti.
► Always higher
“Once upon a time there was climbing”, by Catherine Destivelle, David Chambre and Laurent Bidot
Éditions du Mont-Blanc, Les Arènes BD, 194 p., €27
It was only in the 19th century that climbing became a discipline in its own right, but also a way of life. Catherine Destivelle and David Chambre participated in this story, in their own way. Having become one of the best climbers in the world and a record collector, Catherine Destivelle became director of Editions du Mont-Blanc. David Chambre is a screenwriter specializing in mountaineering.
Together, they draw up the history of this discipline, made up of anecdotes and adventures of all kinds. First ascents on the Massif du Mont Blanc to free climbing in the Dolomites, including the complete solo of El Capitan in Yosemite, the authors retrace three hundred years of the evolution of climbing, accurately illustrated by the renowned cartoonist Laurent Bidot, previously noticed by the series The Shroud. Present in 2024 at the Paris Games, climbing made its first appearance in the Tokyo Olympic program in 2021.
► Photograph the impossible
“Extra & Ordinaires”, by Renaud Goude and Grégory Picout
Éditions Xodus, 143 p., €23
“Extraordinary”, as are all these athletes with a disability who seek, deep within themselves, the strength of character that will allow them to achieve the impossible. “Extraordinary”, as are the photographs of Grégory Picout, who has specialized in the disabled sports movement for over twenty years.
This work shows both the fragility of disability while highlighting the sporting performance of those who carry it. “Grégory immortalized moments of life as unique as they are timeless and, at the same time, of nameless banality, but which force us to remain humble and admiring », testifies in the preface the multi-Olympic swimming medalist Alain Bernard.
To accompany it, the pen of Renaud Goude pays tribute to all these women and men, capable of surpassing themselves to the point of forgetting their handicap, and erasing prejudices a little more each time. The pair of authors celebrates the effort and talent of our parasport champions. These will make us dream again during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, from August 28 to September 8.
► Learn while having fun
“The great book of the Olympic Games”, by Veruska Motta and Luca Poli
Éditions Kimane, 80 p., €21
Did you know that the Olympic torch had already taken up residence in space? That in the past, pigeon shooting was carried out on live animals? Or that the Olympic Games once hosted a hot air balloon competition?
The Olympic Games are not only enjoyable to watch, they are also rich in lessons. From the first games of the modern era in 1896 to the present day, many juicy anecdotes can be discovered in this book enriched by the illustrations of Luca Poli. From 7 to 77 years old, all budding athletes will learn something from it.
► Go Blues!
“Summer Olympics: All French medalists from 1896 to the present day”, by Stéphane Gachet
Éditions Talent Sport, 400 p, €26.90
Cock-a-doodle Doo ! A few months before the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Stéphane Gachet’s well-documented work sheds light on our French athletes. By retracing the history of all our medalists of the modern era, the author shows the extent of French talent and know-how.
We learn that France is ranked sixth among the most medal-winning nations in Olympic history. That at 69 years, 3 months and 8 days, Ferdinand de Schlatter is to date the oldest of our winners, having obtained a bronze medal in sailing, during the 1900 Games, already organized at the time in Paris . Or that to date only biathlete Martin Fourcade can boast of having obtained five gold medals in this discipline.
This focus on our athletes is a confidence booster as the next Games approach. Who will be added to the 1,266 lucky holders of Olympic medals?
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