At 78, Gérard Holtz doesn’t seem likely to slow down anytime soon. Although he has left television and journalism behind, the former star presenter for France Télévisions is busy with a variety of projects, including writing books on sports and performing lectures and shows throughout France.

And this winter, the adopted Nice resident saw even bigger things, having applied for the position of president of the Organising Committee for the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Alps. “When I heard that Martin Fourcade was declining this responsibility. Because I’m crazy about sports and because the Olympic Games are among the biggest events that bring people together, as we saw again last summer in Paris. It’s a fantastic source of emotion,” he explained to Actu.fr. “I wanted to lead the Games with Nathalie Péchalat, the former figure skating champion.”

The former journalist experienced plenty of emotions during his long career. “It lasted 44 years. I joined television, at ORTF, in 1972. I presented the news, I was a senior reporter, and I moved to the sports department. I covered about thirty Tours de France , 17 Olympic Games, and Paris-Dakar races,” he listed. “I was extremely lucky. What’s great is that I was lucky enough for my idols to become my friends. Jean-Claude Killy, Alain Prost and Yannick Noah , among others.”

Gérard Holtz admires Michel Drucker

But his best friends are undoubtedly among his former colleagues, first and foremost Michel Drucker, who provided valuable advice throughout his career. This is evidenced by the anecdote shared by the man who has shared the life of Muriel Mayette’s actress for fifteen years.

“Michel Drucker is a friend, a close friend. We got along well right away. So much so that when I started presenting the news, he would record me, and then I would come to his home to discuss my performance with him, and he would give me advice on how to improve,” he said. “I have a lot of respect and admiration for the man and his brilliant career.”