The words of David Douillet at the microphone of ”Big Mouths of Sport” of RMC this Sunday made a lot of noise in the small world of mountain biking.
The double world judo champion had openly questioned the legitimacy of the 100% French podium during the descent of the world championships in Les Gets. Loïc Bruni had won the title of world champion for the fifth time ahead of two other Tricolroes: Amaury Pierron and Loris Vergier.
“What makes me weird is three French people on the podium and there I say to myself we are in Les Gets, in France and there I say to myself, well, what is the competition? Isn’t the course super well known to our friends? Isn’t that what tipped in the balance? So I don’t take all the glory and the effort away (…) but I tell myself, maybe they had a little advantage over the others. There would have been a Frenchman, I wouldn’t have asked myself the question, but three … ”, questioned the former Minister of Sports.
Words that had made the main interested party jump, the world champion Loïc Bruni: “Mr. Douillet, when you don’t know anything about a sport or any subject, you refrain from judging. I am a yellow belt in judo but I don’t think Teddy Riner has been lucky all these years. With your career and experience, it saddens me to hear you disrespect our performance. Please stay away from our sport. The world descent has been dominated by France for 4 years…»
Same story on the side of Amaury Pierron: “We did almost the same last year if you ever need information do not hesitate… And it was in Switzerland… But there was perhaps an alliance with the Swiss, are you going to tell me? 23 World Cup victories between us 3, but yes it’s really suspicious these 3 guys on the podium I admit. »
Even the former vice-world champion in slalom in alpine skiing, Julien Lizeroux, attacked David Douillet on social networks. “Do not be surprised that our country is in free fall with such analyses! Saying so much bullshit in such a short time is worth a world champion title. Seriously, stop giving the floor to the morons (…) Congratulations the Blues, you were just magic. »
The day after his remarks, David Douillet published a long text of apology on his Instagram account: “I would like to apologize to our three world medalists as well as to all the enthusiasts of this discipline of downhill mountain biking, that I respect. Due to lack of knowledge, my questioning remarks on the radio on the descent of Les Gets had no basis… I was wrong. Like many French admirers of the great champions: I congratulate you on your extraordinary performance. “Good player.
