Examining International Relations In The Realm Of Sports Through History

Free Online Articles Directory

Why Submit Articles?
Top Authors
Top Articles
FAQ
AB Answers

Publish Article

0 && $.browser.msie ) {
var ie_version = parseInt($.browser.version);
if(ie_version Hello Guest
Login

Login via

Register
Hello
My Home
Sign Out

Email

Password


Remember me?
Lost Password?

Home Page > Sports and Fitness > Examining International Relations In The Realm Of Sports Through History

Examining International Relations In The Realm Of Sports Through History

Edit Article |

Posted: Sep 23, 2006 |Comments: 0
| Views: 347
|

Share

]]>

Ask a question

Ask our experts your Sports and Fitness related questions here…200 Characters left

Related Questions

I want Information about Journal history and E-Journal History related Article?
Home care history and related articles
Ask our experts your Sports and Fitness related questions here… Do you ever consider the theory of multiple intelligences when determining coaching plans/ presentations?
Ask our experts your Medicine related questions here… what is the reporting pattern of endotracheal tube secretion culture results

Syndicate this Article

Copy to clipboard

Examining International Relations In The Realm Of Sports Through History

By: Jonathon Hardcastle

About the Author

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Sports, Games, and Cooking

(ArticlesBase SC #58208)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Examining International Relations In The Realm Of Sports Through History

Although the precise origins of the connection between sports and international relations remain obscure, all cultures have participated over the course of history in different physical contests that fostered cultural exchange and contributed to their citizens’ political discourse. The ancient Egyptians swam, raced, wrestled, and played games with balls. The ancient Greeks held large athletic festivals, including the Olympic Games that drew athletes’ attention from all over the ancient world. Two of the very first ‘nations’ to engage their athletes in sport competitions, were the Greeks and the Romans. They competed in various athletic events like chariot races, or throwing the javelin, often relying on the participation of animals, or on the use of mechanical contrivances, a tradition continued into modern times in sports such as dog racing, horse racing, and shooting.

During the Middle Ages, the cultural isolation imposed by the feudal system and religious doctrine that opposed the use of the body for play hampered the development of organised sport in the Western world. For many centuries, contests between knights in tournaments that emphasised military skill were among the only forms of approved, public sports. In the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods, games and exercise attained renewed popularity. As had been the case in ancient times, however, politics and social class circumscribed activity. Sports that required wealth or leisure, such as polo or falconry, were the province of the upper classes, affluent nations, while inexpensive, massed sports, such as soccer, took root among commoners and underdeveloped countries.

The late 19th century witnessed an expanding belief in sport as useful recreation and as a mean of interconnectivity between people and nations, while in industrialized societies equipment was standardized, local and national organizations were set up to govern play, and a doctrine of character-building declared sports to be a necessary endeavor for men. The revival of the Olympics in 1896 and the blossoming U.S. intercollegiate athletic system boosted many forms of amateur, or unpaid sports at the same time that professional sports (such as baseball, boxing, and bicycle racing) drew large numbers of spectators. Sports that were traditionally played only in specific countries became by legislative act or general acceptance, national sports, like baseball in the United States, bullfighting in Spain and Mexico, cricket in England, and ice hockey in Canada.

During the 20th century, sports took on an increasingly international flavor aside from the world championships for individual sports, like soccer’s World Cup, large-scale international meets, such as the Pan-American Games and the Commonwealth Games, were inaugurated. Sports have correspondingly become increasingly politicized, as the boycott of the 1980 Moscow games by Western nations has shown, or the retaliatory boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles games by Soviet-bloc nations, an exchange brought on by Soviet actions in Afghanistan.

Despite the difficulties that rose over the past, sport events are considered today a great opportunity for individual countries to promote their cultures, politics and trade. The new terms of globalization and international relations came into the scene of economic evolution and affected sport’s politics, regulations, communication and society as a whole, by using sports mass acceptance as a dominant tool for international negotiations and cultural exchange.

Retrieved from “http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/examining-international-relations-in-the-realm-of-sports-through-history-58208.html”

(ArticlesBase SC #58208)

Jonathon Hardcastle -
About the Author:

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Sports, Games, and Cooking

]]>

Rate this Article

1
2
3
4
5

vote(s)
0 vote(s)

Feedback
RSS
Print
Email
Re-Publish

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/examining-international-relations-in-the-realm-of-sports-through-history-58208.html

Article Tags:
sports, international relations, recreations, cultures

Related Videos

Related Articles

Latest Sports and Fitness Articles
More from Jonathon Hardcastle

NHL 10 Cover Athlete Trailer

Patrick Kane may be the cover of EA Sports NHL 10 however meet the international stars that grace their home countries respective covers as well. (01:04)

How to Judge Diving

In this sports video learn about the different techniques used to score a dive. (01:32)

How to Dive

In this sports video learn about the art and etiquette of diving. (01:15)

Are Sport Injuries Related To The Person’s Level

Jay Dicharry, director of the SPEED Performance Clinic, discusses whether sports injuries depend on a person’s level of advancement. (00:38)

How to deal with crazy parents

Hear from some very experienced coaches about how they deal with parents and share with us some proven strategies to create better parent-coach relations. (02:14)

Jaypee Greens Kassia Sports City Greater Noida

The product Jaypee Greens Kassia has a TROPICAL FEEL. The architecture style, landscaping is in sync with the theme.TROPICAL style outer façade of the towers.
Use of tropical flora like Palm trees, mangroves all over the community.
All the apartment towers will be surrounded by palm trees or face a water body.
Club house:Tropical architecture.Swimming pool designed with a tropical feel.
Fully equipped fitness facility including a weight and cardio room and a trainer studio.
Spa rooms. Massage

By:
Aliva Karl

Business>
Salesl
Nov 01, 2010

Jaypee Greens Krowns Plots Sports City Noida Expressway

Jaypee Group is a well diversified infrastructure & industrial conglomerate with an annual turnover of Rs. 10,000 Crore. The Group has made its presence in various sectors like hydro power, cement, hospitality, real estate & educational institutions. Jaypee Greens is the real estate arm of the Jaypee Group and since its inception in the year 2000 has been creating lifestyle experiences from building golf-centric premium residences to building mega townships to building a self sustained mega city

By:
Aliva Karl

Business>
Salesl
Sep 13, 2010

Solutions to problems associated with development of sports facilities in rural and urban communities

One of the most important factors to consider in planning any sports programme is facility. Despite its importance enough attention is not accorded it in our community. The negligence couple with many other factors has contributed immensely to inadequate or lack of provision and development of sports facilities in both our rural and urban communities. Other factors such as prevailing economic situation in Nigeria, religion, land tenure system, politic, geographical location and the climate, soc

By:
Peter gbolagade Akintundel
Educationl
Feb 01, 2010
lViews: 355

An Assessment of Sports Reporting In Cameroon, Its Challenges and Prospects

This study on the assessment of Sports Reporting in Cameroon, its Challenges and Prospects, which is not a guide to becoming a good sports reporter, traces the history of sports journalism in Cameroon and the world with the goal of knowing where we are coming from and attempts to establish how far we have gone in the business of sports reporting.
100 people who are exposed to sports on the media were tested using the probability random sampling technique. Also, through the careful guide

By:
Solomon Lyonga Ikundil
Sports and Fitnessl
Aug 07, 2010

A review of preferred work culture contributing to employee satisfaction in today’s organizations

A correlation between work culture and employee satisfaction and few factors measuring the same

By:
Stuti Banerjeel

Business>
Human Resourcesl
Apr 02, 2009
lViews: 376

International Cost of Living Ranking – October 2009

This report provides you with the cost of living indexes as at October 2009 for each of our 276 global locations. The indexes are calculated using the prices for specific quantities of the same goods and services in each location, based on expatriate spending patterns across the 13 basket groups. Our calculators make use of a cost of living index customised to the Basket Groups selected, the Exchange Rate and a relative Hardship Comparison for 276 locations around the globe.

By:
Steven Colemanl

Business>
International Businessl
Oct 23, 2009
lViews: 686

International Cost of Living Ranking For October 2009

The October 2009 International Cost of Living Ranking, one of the most comprehensive in the world, covers 276 cities in 209 countries across 13 basket groups. Below we have listed the Top 10 most expensive countries to live in, the biggest movers up and down in country ranking and the…

By:
Steven Colemanl
Businessl
Nov 08, 2009
lViews: 259

Rewards of On the internet Sports activities Betting to the Financial system

2179
The sports gambling business exhibits no indicators of slowing down. Due to the fact it is a flexible enterprise venture, it can stand in opposition to the blows of the greatest financial recession the planet is experiencing now. It even demonstrated an improve of 12% in revenues last yr in the course of the top of the monetary crisis. Online sports activities gambling carry on to preserve a brilliant industry even as other industries surrounding it proceed to crash and melt away…

By:
Jordan Leachl
Sports and Fitnessl
Nov 09, 2010

The Secrets and techniques of Sporting events Wagering

Sporting activities wagering can be an outstanding source of income generation as lengthy as you follow the basic rule that the most essential portion of sports wagering is good cash management. It’s only as soon as you understand how to implement a excellent money administration method that you will begin seeing good returns from sporting activities wagering. Rather of searching at your betting actions on a win or shed basis, you require to focus on the return on expense that you a…

By:
Jordan Leachl
Sports and Fitnessl
Nov 09, 2010

Catfight | Fem Dom | Wrestling

There’s no limit to how wild the girls of Steel Kittens will get in the privacy of an apartment. That’s why our fem dom, catfight videos and DVDs are the hottest you will find anywhere.

By:
SJ Williamsl
Sports and Fitnessl
Nov 09, 2010

Arbitrage Sporting activities Wagering – Does it Work?

When you go on the internet and seem for gambling programs you will locate a myriad of products that promise to enhance your odds of profitable a prize up to as significantly as 97%. Even though this is outstanding it is nonetheless wagering. Just say you are one particular of the unlucky three% that loses his preliminary wagers and ends up broke? That is where “arbitrage athletics betting” comes to the rescue since it ensures a return on your investment! You see sports arbitrage…

By:
Jordan Leachl
Sports and Fitnessl
Nov 09, 2010

Is a Fitness franchise perfect for a person?

in respect to the Extreme Gym franchise is it has the cheapest franchise fee, royalty fee plus the lowest total equipment expense in the gym franchise industry.

By:
billhb2aral
Sports and Fitnessl
Nov 09, 2010

Is a new Health and fitness franchise appropriate for everyone?

in regards to the Extreme Gym franchise is it has the most affordable franchise fee, royalty fee as well as the least expensive total equipment expense in the gym franchise industry.

By:
billhb2aral
Sports and Fitnessl
Nov 09, 2010

Benefits of Performing breathe meditation and Pranayama Yoga

Yoga is an excellent strategy for bettering focus and attaining rest for your body, spirit and mind. As stated by the health gurus, breathe meditation is by far the most ancient type of yogic training that’s focused on healing.

By:
CHTeel
Sports and Fitnessl
Nov 09, 2010

Jam Sports Marketing Offers Promotional Sports Products to over 600 High Schools

Schools and colleges can get a wide range of apparel, playing equipment, banners, duffle bags, stadium blankets, seat cushions, caps and much more for their events. The representatives of Jam Sports Marketing work with the various departments to determine type and quantity of the promotional products.

By:
Calvert Brownl
Sports and Fitnessl
Nov 09, 2010

Real Estate Is Hotter Than Ever In The Western Cape Of South Africa

Over the past decade, the Western Cape of South Africa has experienced significant real estate growth that registers on a global scale. The overall returns from investment in South African real estate show a 15.1% return in the year 2007.

By:
Jonathon Hardcastlel

Finance>
Real Estatel
Oct 03, 2008

The Western Cape Of South Africa Provides A Unique Backdrop For Outdoor Vacations

If you are looking for the perfect outdoor adventure, the Western Cape of South Africa is the greatest place to go on Earth. The unending landscape here is beautifully rugged, and the activities are extremely intense.

By:
Jonathon Hardcastlel
Travell
Sep 25, 2008
lViews: 112

The Western Cape of South Africa Wildlife

There are many wildlife parks and reserves for visitors and residents to enjoy to be found within the Western Cape of South Africa. There are hundreds of varieties of animals including reptiles, birds, mammals, and fish. The highlight for many visitors are the mammals such as the lions, buffalo, leopards, and elephants.

By:
Jonathon Hardcastlel
Travell
Sep 10, 2008

Tips on Writing A Good Resume

A good resume is worth its weight in gold. The hardest part about getting any job is getting the interview. Make a good impression first time round, and you’re definitely in with a shout for the job.

By:
Jonathon Hardcastlel
Careersl
Sep 10, 2008
lViews: 476

Shopping With Credit Cards And Store Cards

Credit cards and store cards are plentiful in modern society, so much so that it is probably easier than ever to get goods on credit. The buy now, pay later culture is certainly convenient, but is it a wise idea, considering its obvious correlation with debt?

By:
Jonathon Hardcastlel

Internet>
ECommercel
Jan 09, 2008

All About Funding Tertiary Education

Tertiary education is a vital component of our civilization, providing essential skills for the survival of modern society. Tertiary education spawns the doctors, lawyers, teachers and academics of tomorrow, in a perpetual cycle of training and intellectual development.

By:
Jonathon Hardcastlel

Education>
College and Universityl
Jan 09, 2008
lViews: 197

Successful Project Management in Real Estate

If you’re managing a real estate project, you’re going to have a job on your hands. Project management is always a difficult task to keep on top of and it can become quite complicated at times, especially with a number of different components to bring together.

By:
Jonathon Hardcastlel

Business>
Team Buildingl
Jan 08, 2008

Improving Your Serve

Tennis is a tough game, both physically and mentally, and requires a great deal of effort and dedication to improve. Having said that, by devoting the time to learn new techniques, and consolidate your existing game, you can improve your overall on-court performance in no time.

By:
Jonathon Hardcastlel

Sports and Fitness>
Extreme Sportsl
Jan 04, 2008

Add new Comment

Your Name: *

Your Email:

Comment Body: *

 

Verification code:*

* Required fields

Submit

Your Articles Here
It’s Free and easy

Sign Up Today

Author Navigation

My Home
Publish Article
View/Edit Articles
View/Edit Q&A
Edit your Account
Manage Authors
Statistics Page
Personal RSS Builder

My Home
Edit your Account
Update Profile
View/Edit Q&A
Publish Article
Author Box

Jonathon Hardcastle has 117 articles online

Contact Author

Subscribe to RSS

Print article

Send to friend

Re-Publish article

Articles Categories
All Categories

Advertising
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Beauty
Business
Careers
Computers
Education
Finance
Food and Beverage
Health
Hobbies
Home and Family
Home Improvement
Internet
Judaism
Law
Marketing
News and Society
Relationships
Self Improvement
Shopping
Spirituality
Sports and Fitness
Technology
Travel
Writing

Sports and Fitness

Aerobics
Archery
Baseball
Basketball
Bodybuilding
Cricket
Equestrian
Equipment
Extreme Sports
Fishing
Fitness
Football
Golf
Hockey
Horse Racing
Martial Arts
Muscle Building
Outdoor Sports
Pilates
Scuba Diving
Self Defense
Soccer
Tennis
Track and Field
Water Sports
Weight Loss
Yoga

]]>

Need Help?
Contact Us
FAQ
Submit Articles
Editorial Guidelines
Blog

Site Links
Recent Articles
Top Authors
Top Articles
Find Articles
Site Map

Webmasters
RSS Builder
RSS
Link to Us

Business Info
Advertising

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2010 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved.

Sponsored Teams Again

The 1960s saw a return to sponsored teams and commercialism yet the Tour still offered lots of intrigue and drama. The Tour was the most watched event in cycling and the sponsors badly needed the publicity. The Tour’s biggest rivals, Poulidor and Anquetil, truly disliked each other and this drew fans in.

Anquetil Rules

For many years, Anquetil was the greatest time-trialist in history. He won 12 of these tests in the Tour de France and even set a world record before he first won the Tour. Anquetil had a bit of a reputation as a rebel. He once said that his idea of training included “a few whiskies, blonde cigarettes and a woman.” His wayward ways extended into his private life. He an affair with a doctor’s wife, a woman named Jeanine, and when he learned that she couldn’t bear him a child, he persuaded her to let him have a baby with her adult daughter, a woman named Annie. They had a child named Sophie. Of course, Annie and Jeanine began to quarrel. Annie moved out and Jeanine invited her son and his wife, Dominique, to move in. Anquetil promptly seduced Dominique and a son, Christopher.

Anquetil took his wild ways to his cycling events. Most riders always go for a ride on the rest day because their bodies are so used to cycling. Jacques Anquetil, however, liked to enjoy life. He would go to a picnic and enjoy himself on big portions of barbecued lamb and lots of drink.

Anquetil, the five-time winner, sat out 1965 and returned in 1966. But this would be his last Tour.

Tragedy Strikes, Doping Raises its Ugly Head

In 1967, tragedy struck and this would be the year the Tour would first become tainted by a doping scandal. Tom Simpson was the best British rider of his day. Sadly, he fell victim to doping but actually died due to the heat as he crossed Mont Ventoux. His death led to the first drug testing in 1968.

Tom Simpson was a very well regarded racer. His sole goal in life was winning the Tour. Simpson knew he had to deliver. He turned to drugs, something that wasn’t new to the Tour. For some time now many riders had been using a life-threatening cocktail of drugs: amphetamines as a stimulant, Palfium to kill the pain in their legs and then sleeping pills at night to counteract the amphetamines.

Cycling began to grapple with this problem The first races were staggeringly long and tested the limits of human endurance. Stages in the early Tour could take over 17 hours to complete. From the beginning riders took various substances to allow them to complete their ordeals. When the Pélissier brothers withdrew from the 1924 Tour and gave their famous interview to Albert Londres they described the long list of drugs they took. “We run on dynamite,” Henri Pélissier said.

Before World War Two amphetamines were synthesized and athletes immediately understood the advantage they gave. Through the fifties it was clear to observers that riders were doping. There were pictures of racers with dried foam on their faces or of riders driven mad by a combination of heat and amphetamines stopping in the middle of a race to find relief in a fountain. After riding until he collapsed Jean Malléjac lay on the ground still strapped to his bike, his legs convulsively pumping the pedals. Others would remount their bikes and go the wrong way. Sometimes one could almost follow the route of a race by the trail of syringes left by the side of the road. Roger Rivière crashed in 1960 because he had taken so much of the opiate Palfium to kill the pain in his legs that he couldn’t feel the brake levers. Bahamontes said that he loved a good hot day in the mountains because the riders juiced up on amphetamines couldn’t take the heat.

Was Tom Simpson a bad person or a hero? He was neither. He knew that riding without dope wasn’t possible,

The day after Simpson’s death. the peloton agreed to ride if one of Simpson’s British teammates would be allowed a ceremonial stage victory to honor Simpson’s memory.

Merckx Rules the Road

Eddy Merckx of Belgium won in 1969, a stunning debut that earned him the nickname “cannibal,” a rider ready to devour everything it takes to win. Merckx flew into Paris with a 17 minute lead. Merckx dominated the cycling world, winning 250 major races, one a week for six years. Without a doubt he was the most complete and capable rider alive.

In 1975 Merckx was finally beaten by Bernard Thevenet. Merckx had been punched and knocked from his bike by a jealous French fan. This is the first year that the race finishes along the Champs Elysees

France celebrated Thevenet’s second win in 1977. He was a bit of a wonder boy, with seven more home wins until the last, in 1985.

The race’s next hero was a blunt Frenchman from Brittany, Hinault, who would become the third man to win five Tours. The years between 1978 and 1984 became known as “le blaireau” (the badger’s) golden era.

Then France cheered a new hero, a sophisticated bespectacled young Parisian called Laurent Fignon. Fignon rode into his home city of Paris in yellow, beating Hinault by 10 minutes and proving that 1983 had been no fluke.

Winners

* 1960 Gastone Nencini (Ita)

* 1961 Jacques Anquetil (Fra)

* 1962 Jacques Anquetil (Fra)

* 1963 Jacques Anquetil (Fra)

* 1964 Jacques Anquetil (Fra)

* 1965 Felice Gimondi (Ita)

* 1966 Lucien Aimar (Fra)

* 1967 Roger Pingeon (Fra)

* 1968 Jan Janssen (Ned)

* 1969 Eddy Merckx (Bel)

* 1970 Eddy Merckx (Bel)

* 1971 Eddy Merckx (Bel)

* 1972 Eddy Merckx (Bel)

* 1973 Luis Ocana (Spa)

* 1974 Eddy Merckx (Bel)

* 1975 Bernard Thevenet (Fra)

* 1976 Lucien Van Impe (Bel)

* 1977 Bernard Thevenet (Fra)

* 1978 Bernard Hinault (Fra)

* 1979 Bernard Hinault (Fra)

* 1980 Joop Zoetemelk (Ned)

If you liked this article, you’ll find more Tour de France history articles and this year’s Tour schedule at:

Tour de France stags & schedule & history

2007 tour de france

World’s greatest bicycle race – Le Tour du France

Unlike other inventions like electricity and light bulb, the origin of bicycle has never been very clear on who invented it.  Depending on the nationality of who you ask you could get an American if you asked an American, a Scotsman or a Frenchman if you asked people of those nationalities. The bicycle went through centuries of innovation and improvement before arriving at what we have today.

 

The first authentic bicycle was made in the year 1817 by Karl Drais von Sauerbronn to facilitate transportation during an acute shortage of horses for carriages. However, this device did not have any pedals and had to be moved by pushing one’s feet against the ground. The question remains whether a bicycle without a pedal can be called a bicycle or not.

 

The next improvement took place in 1863 with the invention of the bone shaker or the Velocipede. The importance of this improvement can be understood from the fact that a museum dedicated to this innovation exists even today. The discomfort involved in riding this device over cobblestones prevented it from becoming more popular.

 

The year 1870 saw the bicycle become a lot more comfortable with the use of a big front wheel and solid rubber tires. However, even the slightest jerk would send the rider crashing to the ground. This proved to be a major impediment in the spread of bicycles.

 

As technology improved, bicycle manufacturing became more specialized. Ball bearings, caliper brakes, speed gears- all made their introduction as the first American manufacturer of cycles came into existence in 1878.

 

Safety improved and people began lobbying for better roads to make bicycle driving more comfortable. In the meantime, the rear wheel driven bicycle, as we know it today, was designed and proclaimed to be a lot safer. It was named the Bicyclette and was a French innovation.

 

The 1880′s saw better and better bicycles being made. The 1890′s was called a gay decade and the bicycle is credited for making quick transportation a reality. In 1896, Susan B. Anthony said that “the bicycle has done more for the emancipation of women than anything else in the world.”

 

However, the idea of not using a solid piece of rubber as the tire did not come about until, a young doctor named Dunlop came up with the bright idea of using air filled rubber tube to make the bicycle faster and more comfortable. A new era was born with bicycles being used by adults and kids alike. Bicycle clubs were formed and bicycle racing became a sport.

 

World War I and World War II saw the growing importance of the bicycle. Of course, the automobile industry attracted all the attention and many feared that the bicycle may become a thing of the past. However, the bicycle has retained its charm and utility even today and has diversified and grown into a huge industry.

 

 

 

Post World War Rivalries

Henri Desgrange, the Tour de France founder, died in 1940. His successor was Jacque Goddet. The Germans tried to persuade Goddet to hold the race during the war years, but he refused. He considered the first race following the war, in 1947, to be an act of faith given the post-war shortages. Jean Robic of France won and this did much to improve the country’s morale. The government even allowed the Tour to break the food rationing rules.

Italian Rivals Go at it Full Swing

The French win didn’t last long. Two Italian rivals, Gino Bartali, tour winner in 1938, and Fausto Coppi, had lost most of their cycling careers to the war. But their bitter rivalry made the post-war Tours as exciting as ever. Bartali’s 10-year gap between wins is still a Tour record. Louison Bobet had grabbed the yellow jersey early in the race but Bartali showed who deserved to win when he flew through the Alps. Bartali won by 26 minutes in 1948.

Rene Vietto– France’s King of the Hill

After the war, Vietto was one of the few surviving members of the old guard. For awhile, it looked like Vietto might win the 1947 race. Although he didn’t win, he became the Tour’s king of the mountains. It’s been said that wherever there were steep roads and thin air, Vietto was right there.

The winner that year, Robic, had promised his young bride that he would win the Tour de France because he didn’t have a dowry.

In 1948, Bobet’s popularity would increase. The Italian coach, Alfredo Binda, said, “If I had coached Bobet, he would have won.” By this time, Bobet was known as “Louison.”

The Italians arrived at the 1949 Tour prepared to win. They have with them, up and coming star, Fausto Coppi. Coppi and Bartali battle it out. Bartali loses by more than 10 minutes. Coppi won for the second time in 1952 by a stunning 28 minutes.

Switzerland Wins and France has a Golden Age

Switzerland has had only two victories on the Tour– in 1950 and 1951.

In 1950, the Italians look like they’re ready to claim a third title. Bartali, and French rider, Jean Robic, are battling for the lead in the mountains. Aggressive fans cause them to fall. Bartali is constantly harassed and in disgust, he quits the race. To show their support for their team mate, the entire Italian team also quits.

In 1951, Hugo Koblet was clearly the strongest rider. He claimed the yellow jersey after Wim Van Est had a spectacular crash over the cliffs of the Aubisque pass. Van Est survived the crash but was in shock and couldn’t continue. With Bobet, Kubler, and Koblet all out with injuries, the 1952 race was wide open. Coppi won again in 1952 but not until after being challenged by Robic most of the way. Robic was the victim of a flat tire.

Television was introduced to the Tour in 1952.

France succeeds again with the Tour’s first hat trick. Louison Bobet won in 1953, 1954, and 1955. In 1955, Bobet destroyed his competition on Mount Ventoux, and this was the key to his third consecutive win.

France won again in 1956 with rider, Roger Walkowiak. He took the yellow jersey early on, and held onto it. France reveled in its golden age with another record-breaking ride and a new great rivalry.

Jacques Anquetil won five Tours between 1957 1nd 1964. But it was the story of Raymond Poulidor, the “eternal second,” who placed second five times and third three times and he never once wore the jellow jersey. It was during this time that the Tour switched back to sponsored teams. This movement embraced commercial reality but still left plenty of room for theatrics. Enter Jacques Anquetil, winner in 1957 and winner again in 1961, 1962, 1963, and again in 1964. Despite these victories Anquetil was not well loved in France. Poulidor would win a popularity contest in a heartbeat.

In 1959, France looked like it had a winning team with Anquetil, Riviére, Bobet, and Geminiani all on the national team. But instead of working together, the work against each other. The Spaniard, Ferderico Bahamontes , won.

In 1960, it looked like young Riviére was all set to win. He broke the world hour record and at Stage 15 he looked like he’d win. Then, at the Perjuret Pass he crashed into a ravine and never rode a bicycle again. Gastone Nencini, from Italy, won.

Winners

1947 Jean Robic (Fra)

1948 Gino Bartali (Ita)

1949 Faust Coppi (Ita)

1950 Ferdi Kubler (Swi)

1951 Hugo Koblet (Swi)

1952 Faust Coppi (Ita)

1953 Louison Bobet (Fra)

1954 Louison Bobet (Fra)

1955 Louison Bobet (Fra)

1956 Roger Walkowiak (Fra)

1957 Jacque Anquetil (Fra)

1958 Charly Gaul (Lux)

1959 Ferderico Bahamontes (Spa)

1960 Gastone Nencini (Ita)

If you liked this article, you’ll find more Tour de France history articles and this year’s Tour schedule at:

Tour de France stags & schedule & history

2007 tour de france

World’s greatest bicycle race – Le Tour

“Gentlemen start your engines” those four words excite race fans everywhere. We here in Florida are lucky to have several venues where those words are spoken but none more famously crowd pleasing then our own Daytona Speedway.

Daytona Speedway has many different kinds of races throughout the year for many different kinds of race fans. Bike Week and Biketoberfest, held in the winter and fall respectively, feature mostly motorcycle races and shows; then in the winter again Speed Week happens and other popular races such as the Rolex 24 hour race and the Daytona 500 are run.

Now, NASCAR was born from stock car racing which was born from boot legging in the Appalachians during prohibition. Bootleggers, as they were called, needed fast car to outrun the cops as they made their deliveries, many drivers did their own modification to their cars to increase the cars speed and handling. It all started back in 1947 when a gentleman named William France Sr. and some friends founded a small organization they called NASCAR.

When prohibition ended in 1933 the need for bootleggers dried up but some of these guys came to love the speed and excitement of driving down twisty mountain roads. They continued to work on and improve their cars and by the late 1940’s the races for bragging rights and money began. These races were held mostly in rural North Carolina run using modified street cars.

Daytona Beach didn’t sit idly by while all this was going on. In 1903 there was a historic race run between Ransom Olds and Alexander Winton on the beach here that started it all. Between 1905 and 1935 fifteen speed records were set and the Daytona Beach road course, as it came to be known, became a Mecca for racing enthusiasts. Daytona Beach became known as the place to set world speed records in the 1920s and 1930s,

In the 1920s and 1930s, Daytona Beach became known as the place to set world land speed records, supplanting France and Belgium as the preferred location for speed records, with 8 consecutive world records set between 1927 and 1935, Daytona Beach had become synonymous with fast cars. Daytona is also one of the best Florida beaches to take a trip with beaches to drive on and plenty of lifeguards and people to watch.

These days Daytona still means speed no matter if you prefer motorcycles or cars. During Bike Week you can enjoy all sorts of weight class and engine size motorcycling races. In the fall they also have motor bike races, classes that you can sign up to take and exhibition and proto type motorcycles, both weeks feature amateur and pro series.

There are several events throughout the year that the Daytona International Speedway is known for, one such event is the Rolex 24. The Rolex 24 is a race that lasts 24 hours; teams of drivers take shifts behind the wheel and drive all day and night racing towards the finish line, I’ve been its fun. You wouldn’t think people would stay for the whole race but they do, there are fun things to do around the infield during the race to that helps.

Speed Week is another draw to the Speedway it’s the start of the ARCA series and NASCAR season. There are two events that kick off the season; first event is the ARCA series Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, a 80 lap 200 mile race.

The Budweiser Shootout features top NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars racing around the 31-degree high banks. From there we go onto the biggie, the main event – The Daytona 500. There are two days of qualifying events for the Daytona 500, the first is just called Daytona 500 Qualifying where qualifying for the front row takes place. The second is the Gatorade Duel which consists of two 150-mile qualifying races that determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500.

There are also several truck races and events that take place during the week but theses are the main racing events. Then at week after the qualifying events the Daytona 500 is run. The Daytona 500 is run for 200 laps, 500 miles on the two and a half a mile long track of the Daytona International Speedway and it’s considered the biggest, richest and most prestigious race of the NASCAR series. Touted as “The Great American Race” families save of all year and make the week their traditional family vacation. Pack those coolers, grab those ear plugs and race on down for some good old fashion family fun things to do in Daytona Beach. I’ve been to the infield after Speed Week and have been amazed by all the things left behind, arm chairs, sofas and all sorts of other things, it’s an awesome sight.

Another fan favorite race is run on the 4th of July the Coke Zero 400 this is also a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race that is run for 160 laps, 400 miles. After the race they normally have fireworks and there are fun things for the whole family to do all day.