Sisters: Karine, Lydie
Brother: Gael (biathlete)
World Cup debut: 1995 in Lahti
Inventory:
Skis: Fischer
Sticks: Exel
Mount: Fischer
Boots: Fischer
Gloves: Exel
Favorite World Cup tracks: Ruhpolding, because the track has an ideal profile: steep ascent and descent
Raphael Poiret was born on August 9, 1974 in the small French town of Riva. Raphael started biathlon at the age of 10. His younger brother Gael is also a biathlete, although while he is far from the laurels of his older brother.
Rafael Poiret made his World Cup debut in the 1995/96 season and finished 17th, which was a good result for a young athlete. A year later, he already declared himself at the top of his voice, entering the top five biathletes at the end of the season. True, the talented athlete in those years was distinguished by the instability of the results, as a result of which he did not manage to win the awards of the world championships and the Olympic Games. While his peer Ole Einar Bjoerndalen won the Olympics and World Cup in 1998, Raphael, who had decent speed on the track, was let down by inaccurate shooting. In the future, the confrontation between these two athletes will become central to men's biathlon for many years.
The turning point in Poiret's career was shooting training under the leadership of Jean-Pierre Amadt. The hard work resulted in the first World Cup in the 1998/99 season. In 2000, a soldier in the French army repeated his success, adding to the Big Crystal Globe and gold medal World Championships in Holmenkolen. In 2001, Rafael won the third cup in a row, once again leaving behind his main rival - Bjoerndalen.
In addition to sports victories, success accompanied the Frenchman on the personal front. At the end of the 2000/01 season, he married his longtime lover and colleague, Norwegian Liv Gret Shelbraid. In 2013, the couple announced their divorce.
The only thing Raphael lacks is Olympic gold... In 2002, all the same Bjoerndalen left him without the highest award in Salt Lake City, and a year later he bypassed in the World Cup.
In general, the 2002/03 season was the most unfortunate for Poiret. The birth of his daughter Emma did not allow him to fully concentrate on the competition and led to the loss of the positions he had won.
However, in 2004, Rafael again proved that he is an outstanding athlete, winning almost all races at the end of the season and winning 3 gold medals, Big crystal globe and Small Globes for winning each biathlon discipline. Perhaps the return of his wife to the track helped the athlete regain his former incentives to win.
The 2004-2005 season was not easy for Rafael, but he won three victories and entered the top three at the end of the season.
At the Turin Olympics, Rafael was unable to achieve his main goal- gold, and limited himself only to bronze in the relay race.
V free time Raf, as his friends call him, is fond of cinema, loves to play tennis. The athlete is distinguished by his sociability, a good sense of humor, loves and knows how to play in public.
Rafael Poiret retired in the 2006/2007 season. His last race was a stunning mass start in Holmenkollen, where he lost 3 centimeters to his main rival Ole Einar Bjoerndalen. In his last season Raph was just brilliant, especially in the second half. He was a potential World Cup winner, but did not go to the last stage in Khanty-Mansiysk.
New job, beloved woman, new joys ... Now only one thing is missing in the life of Raphael Poiret.
- Here we first met.
In an embrace with Anne Tunes, Raphael walks to the Festplassen square in Bergen. He is dressed in a light, light sweater, with stubble on his face and a scar on his neck that resembles a scorpion's tail. He points to the Contra bar.
“We spent a lot of time talking that evening and found that we had a lot in common.
Anne nods.
- Raphael is not what I imagined before. My impression from the TV screen was that he was harsh and serious, but now the energy is in full swing in him and he is full of crazy ideas.
Least expected
It's been almost two years since they met, when they both just ended their previous relationship. They stop at an intersection and see the sun's rays piercing the heavy clouds over Bergen. Raphael looks at Anna the way only the French do.
- I met Anna when I least expected it. And just when he needed it.
Eight years ago, he retired as a biathlete after 44 World Cup victories and 19 World Cup and Olympic medals. Then he had to go through several dramatic events.
In 2009, he was on the verge of being paralyzed after an ATV accident. He went through 12 hours of surgery and the doctors said it was a miracle that everything worked out.
In 2013, he found his father - 34 years have passed since the day his father left Raphael at the age of 4. In the same year, there was a break with his wife Liv-Grete Poiret, with whom he had three children - Emma (12), Anna (8) and Lena (6). He went from being protected in a sporting environment to living a challenging life in the real world.
- A lot has happened in recent years, and it was not easy and simple. But I managed to resist stress and learned a lot. I got to know myself better and found peace, ”he says.
Childhood without a father
The accident is forgotten, he was most happy that then two-year-old Anna, who was sitting in the back, was not hurt. The divorce from Liv-Grete was not easy, but they cooperate well in everything related to children. And the father who left his home in Rives, in the south of France, and never returned?
- I felt that I was missing something, because I grew up without a father. It made me a good biathlete because I had to fight every day. Life was a constant battle.
In the NRK series, he learned the story of his father, learned that he was wanted and fled to New Zealand, where he married twice before he died in 2011. In a TV program, Rafael met with his father's wives, friends and acquaintances.
- It was good to know the truth about him. I have received answers to the questions I have been asking myself for 34 years.
He takes a slice of sandwich off his plate. We are sitting in a cafe in the city center.
- I am a very open and sensitive person. Since the release of the program about my father, I meet so many people who share their problems and want to talk about it. It makes an impression.
- Have you considered the option to return home to France?
- No never. In Norway I have good friends, I like the local culture, my children are Norwegians. On paper they are half French, but I think of them as Norwegians. And now I met Anna. So no, I never thought of going back to France.
Happening
He stayed at home for nine months. No job, no vision for the future. Newly divorced and tired of life biathlon coach. The two-year contract with the national team of Belarus was terminated after the first year of work.
- I wanted new challenges, to plunge into a new environment. And I needed more time for children, I wanted to become a real father.
The challenge he was looking for came into his life by accident, but in time: Aker Solutions offered a job in the North Sea as a handyman. And now he is laying cables and repairing something here and there, participating in a project that will last until February 2016.
- I was lucky, I found myself in the right place at the right time. This is a full-time job from 7 am to 7 pm, 12 hours of hard work. But this is a unique environment. I have never had to be in such working conditions, I feel very comfortable. But…
He smiles.
- I remember the first day. It was in November, pitch black, I was sitting in a helicopter on my way to the oil platform. Searchlights, all sorts of units, crazy noise. Then I thought, "What have I done?"
Two weeks in four
In addition to work, he plays bandy, squash and goes to gym... He works in shifts - two weeks in four.
- When I am free, the children live with me for 15 days. The rest of the time I want to spend with Anna. We don't get to be together so often, but we talk a lot on the phone. And not a day goes by without a conversation or sms.
- Yes, we are real teenagers, - Anna laughs, and then speaks seriously.
- Raphael is very kind and takes good care of me.
They both have three children, two of whom celebrate their birthday on August 9 - his oldest daughter and her oldest daughter were born on the same day.
- We also have many similar memories from childhood. Anne also grew up without a father. And we are both lions, impulsive and sensitive. And we have the same sense of humor, - says Raphael.
They are laughing. Then, without saying a word, Anna reveals a sparkling diamond ring on her finger.
- Are you going to get married?
They nod. They look at each other.
“We are engaged, but have not yet decided on a date,” says Anne.
“It was important to make an offer to show Anna that I have serious intentions,” says Rafael.
- We have many children and we bought a ski cottage in Myurkdalen. Two last years I was able to become myself ... Finally.
- Children get along with each other?
- Yes, we have already traveled to Murkdalen several times - there is enough space for everyone. We will be one big family, - says Anne.
Enjoy walking
Trips to Murkdalen show that Raphael and Anne still do not agree on everything. She likes slalom more, she doesn't like classic cross-country skiing.
“She hates it when something doesn't work out for her,” says Raphael.
- It's an easy walk for you - to overtake me on skis, - says Anna.
- No, I no longer have a competitive spirit. When I am skiing now, alone or not, I am just enjoying myself. I can ride a bike just to see nature and not look at the clock. It is wonderful.
From the first day, it was clear for Raphael: he did not want to hide the relationship.
- We are very ... "naturell". I said all the time that I do not want to hide the fact that we are together. Hiding behind sunglasses on the street is not for me.
- For me, anonymity was a little more important, but now everything is in order. We are not 18 years old, but 40, - says Anna.
Life is good
40 is a magic number. Rafael celebrated his 40th birthday in Bergen last year. Anna's turn this summer will be in Bordeaux, with a visit to the winery and a party with a few good friends.
- Now we are missing only one, - says Rafael.
- Since childhood, I have moved a lot from place to place. He was constantly on the road as a biathlete, then got divorced. Now I want to find a place where I will be comfortable and calm. I still live in Holansdalen, but Anna and I have a common project - to find a place in Bergen. Soon.
Mountains rise on the horizon, two birds land in the square like two tiny planes. Raphael and Anna stand under a blossoming cherry tree, hugging each other.
She needs to get back to work, he will go to town.
- Come home - cook me dinner. Pleeease, says Raphael, kissing Anna goodbye.
He stares after her and then returns to the intersection to head on.
- Now life is good. I often repeat that I am unlucky in the game, but lucky in life, - says Rafael.
Raphael Poiret has it all: he is an eight-time world champion, a four-time World Cup winner. The only thing missing in the treasury of the great French biathlete is the Olympic gold medal.
Born 08/09/1974
Achievements:
- Silver medalist at the 2002 Olympic Games in the pursuit.
- Bronze medalist of the 2002, 2006 Olympic Games in relay races.
- Eight-time world champion (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 - mass starts, 2001 - relay race, 2004, 2007 - individual races, 2004 - sprint).
- Three-time silver medalist of the World Championships (2001, 2004 - pursuit, 2007 - mixed relay).
- Seven-time bronze medalist of the World Championships (1998, 2000 - pursuit, 2003, 2005, 2007 - mass starts, 2004 - relay, 2006 - mixed relay).
- Winner of the World Cup in the seasons 1999/2000, 2000/2001, 2001/2002, 2003/2004.
- Silver medalist of the World Cup 2005/2006.
- Bronze medalist of the World Cup in the 2004/2005 and 2006/2007 seasons.
- World Cup stages: 44 wins, 39 second and 20 third places.
First successes
Poiret began biathlon at the age of ten. The first major victory came to Raphael at the 1995 European Championship, and after this success he was firmly entrenched in the main team of France.
In his debut seasons, Poiret is characterized by instability characteristic of young biathletes - either failing in shooting, or seriously losing to opponents at a distance. Nevertheless, Raphael is gradually making his way into the elite group. Since the 1997/1998 season, Poiret has not dropped below fifth place in the overall World Cup. In the same 1998, the Frenchman wins his first medal at the world championships - bronze in the pursuit.
King of the World Cup and Mass Starts
In the meantime, Poiret is actively working on shooting, and is fully prepared for the 1999/2000 season. The Frenchman is good on the track, has achieved stability on the shooting range; with such a balance, success is immediate. In almost all races, Rafael finishes in the top ten, and at the World Championships in Oslo he again becomes the bronze medalist in the pursuit and wins the first gold in his career - in the mass start.
2000 was a symbolic year for Poiret. The first gold in the world championships, the first victory in the overall World Cup and a wedding. In May, Rafael will marry Norwegian biathlete Liv-Greta Shelbraid. Since then, the Poiret couple has become the main pair of world biathlon.
For the next two seasons, Poiret retains the World Cup - his stable performances are amazing. Rafael is among the top favorites in all races, but he is best at mass starts. Poiret feels great in contact fair fight when everyone is running in the same conditions. From 2000 to 2002, the Frenchman became the three-time world champion in the mass start, losing to no one at his favorite distance.
However, the second victory in Oslo hardly made Poiret happy, whose main stake in 2002 was made at the Olympics. Rafael approached her in excellent shape, but he never won gold, limiting himself to silver in the pursuit and bronze in the relay, and the Norwegian became the absolute champion.
Largely due to the birth of the first child, winter 2003 did not bring Poiret big victories... At the World Championships in Russia, Raphael managed to catch only bronze in his "own" mass start, and the Big Crystal Globe went to the main rival of the Frenchman - Bjoerndalen. The stars have changed roles, now Poiret has to catch up with the Norwegian.
Oddly enough, the relationship did not work out with Poiret's pursuit directly. This is the only discipline in which he never became a world champion. Even at the 2004 world championship triumphant for himself in Oberhof, where Poiret won the sprint, mass start and individual race, Rafael finished second in the pursuit.
That world championship went down in history - the Poiret family took home seven gold medals - his wife added four gold to Raphael's three victories. Of course, Poiret also regained the World Cup, becoming its four-time winner. Amazing season!
Recession and a beautiful end to a career
Poiret is 30 years old, it would seem, everything is just beginning, given how brilliantly older Germans and his peer Bjoerndalen perform. Apparently, the family takes too long in Raphael's life, and he starts to give up little by little. First of all, the Frenchman loses in speed. Now it's hard for him to fight in the sprint and, accordingly, in the pursuit. All hope remains for mass starts and individual races.
By his third Olympics, Poiret is no longer considered the main favorite. This is confirmed by the results - in personal races he remains without medals and almost deprives the relay team of a medal with his unsuccessful stance, but at the finish he literally gnaws bronze from the Swede Bergman.
Poiret starts his last season, to put it mildly, average. From the outside, it seems that Rafael is really full of biathlon, and his departure is logical. All the more surprising is what happened to him after the New Year. Poiret is again focused on shooting, confidently working on the fourth shooting lines, briskly going uphill - it is obvious that the upcoming World Cup means a lot for Raphael. Italian Anterselva becomes happy for Poiret. He wins individual race and becomes the bronze medalist in the mass start, ahead of Bjoerndalen.
The Frenchman is in great shape, once again regularly finishing in the top three, winning races and becoming the main favorite in the fight for the World Cup. But he was not destined to win it for the fifth time - Poiret refused the final stage in Khanty-Mansiysk.
His last performance became a mass start in the Norwegian Holmenkollen. It was a fantastic race. After the final shooting, the three leaders formed - German Sven Fischer joined Poiret and Bjoerndalen. So they walked, alternately replacing each other in front. Before turning to the finish line, Fischer suddenly sank, blocking Rafael's road a bit. Bjoerndalen rushed forward - everything seemed clear. However, Poiret did not give up: having gone around the German, he began to approach the Norwegian. As a result, the winner was revealed only by the photo finish - it was Ole Einar.
A more symbolic end to a career could not be imagined. This finish is the quintessence of Poiret's biathlon path - brilliant, memorable, but still a little sad. Rafael won everything that was possible, the only thing - he did not manage to reach the Olympic gold, and first of all prevented the Frenchman Ole Einar Bjoerndalen in Salt Lake City, which did not allow Poiret to win the last race in his career.
Raphael started biathlon at the age of 20, in 1994. His younger brother Gael is also a biathlete, although while he is far from the laurels of his older brother.
Rafael Poiret made his World Cup debut in the 1995/96 season and finished 17th, which was a good result for a young athlete. A year later, he already declared himself at the top of his voice, entering the top five biathletes at the end of the season. True, the talented athlete in those years was distinguished by the instability of the results, as a result of which he did not manage to win the awards of the world championships and the Olympic Games. While his peer Ole Einar Bjoerndalen won the Olympics and World Cup in 1998, Raphael, who had decent speed on the track, was let down by inaccurate shooting. In the future, the confrontation between these two athletes will become central to men's biathlon for many years.
The turning point in Poiret's career was shooting training under the leadership of Jean-Pierre Amadt. Hard work resulted in the first World Cup in 1999/2000. In 2001, a soldier of the French army repeated his success, adding the gold medal of the World Championships in Holmenkolen to the Big Crystal Globe. In 2002, Rafael won the third cup in a row, once again leaving behind his main rival - Bjoerndalen.
In addition to sports victories, success accompanied the Frenchman on the personal front. At the end of the 2000/01 season, he married his longtime lover and colleague, Norwegian Liv Gret Shelbraid.
The only thing that Raphael lacks is Olympic gold. At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Poiret won a silver medal in the pursuit. He also won a bronze medal as part of the French relay team.
The 2002/03 season was the worst for Poiret. The birth of his daughter Emma did not allow him to fully concentrate on the competition and led to the loss of the positions he had won.
However, in 2004, Rafael once again proved that he is an outstanding athlete. At the World Championships in Oberhof, Germany, Poiret won three gold, one silver and one bronze medals (in the relay). Together with his wife, Norwegian Liv-Grete Poiret, who won four gold medals, the couple won seven of the ten gold medals that were played in the championship. Rafael has won virtually all races at the end of the season and has won the Big Crystal Globes and Small Globes for winning every biathlon discipline. Perhaps the return of his wife to the track helped the athlete regain his former incentives to win.
The 2004-2005 season was not easy for Rafael, but he won three victories and entered the top three at the end of the season.
At the Olympic Games in Turin, Rafael could not achieve his main goal - gold, and was limited to only bronze in the relay race.
Rafael Poiret retired in the 2006/2007 season. His last race was a stunning mass start in Holmenkollen, where he lost 3 centimeters to his main rival Ole Einar Bjoerndalen. Raf was great in his last season, especially in the second half. He was a potential World Cup winner, but did not go to the last stage in Khanty-Mansiysk.
In total, from 2007 to 2007, Rafael Poiret won the title of world champion in various disciplines eight times.
At Le Grand Bornand he is a guest of honor. After the end of the competition, he dined at the press buffet in the company of his new wife, while among the drinks he preferred beer over wine. For the special correspondent of "Championship" it was a big surprise, so we started this conversation with such an unusual topic, but then switched to more acute ones. The great champion was very frank and emotional, like a true Frenchman.
"Chablis is my favorite wine"
- It's strange to see a Frenchman drinking beer when there is a selection of excellent French wine. Why do you have such an atypical taste?
- Today I just decided to try it. I usually drink wine and prefer white. When I was an athlete, I didn't drink at all, and then I got used to white wine.
- Why white and not red?
- We tried different wines. But dry white wine is more suitable for me, as well as for my wife. Our favorite variety is Chablis.
I don't know how many athletes were actually involved in the doping system. But I think it was part of government policy.
- 20 years ago, when your biathlon career was just beginning, could it be assumed that France would soon experience such a biathlon boom?
- I dreamed about it. When my career began, in France there were Olympic Games in Albertville. Our women's biathlon team won the relay competition. Then I realized that biathlon can become much more popular species sports, but this requires the support of national television. But then, year after year, the situation improved. When I finished my performances, biathlon went on national television, such as L "Equipe TV, and then we got Martin, and everything started spinning.
- Initially, biathlon in France was army, not professional sports?
- You're right. I myself was a member of the French army and received a salary not as an athlete, but as a military man.
- What was your rank?
- Staff Sergeant. I know that by Russian standards this is nobody, but for France it is a very decent title.
"In my time there was no Instagram and I could not get promoted like Fourcade"
- Do you envy Martin Fourcade?
- No. He's really better than me. It is more stable in ski course, he has a more efficient technique. We are roughly equal in shooting. I may have shot faster, but he is more stable in contact combat.
- How did he achieve such frenzied popularity in the country?
- This is all the result of social media. In my time, there was no Facebook and Instagram, and Martin pays a lot of attention to social networks.
"I'm sick of it up to nausea." How Fourcade kills biathlon
Russians, Germans and Norwegians in Hochfilzen will cheer against Fourcade, because he is killing biathlon with his megalomania. And everybody got tired of it.
- With whom of the other French sports stars can you compare him in popularity?
- For example, with the legendary judoka Teddy Riner. He, like Martin, has been the best for many years and wins all competitions. Martin is a professional in everything: how he presents himself in the media, how he relates to training, how he communicates with people.
- In one of your old interviews, I read that the middle midfielder of Saint-Etienne was more popular in France than you were at the height of your fame. This is true?
- And so it was. The only thing that added to my popularity was when we were with ex-wife won almost all gold medals at the 2004 World Cup. Then they finally began to recognize me. But in order to be famous, it is not enough just to win in sports. You need to create your own story and your own image.
Martin is a professional in everything: how he presents himself in the media, how he relates to training, how he communicates with people.
- What is your relationship with Liv-Grete now? How often do you interact with your children?
- I live 200 meters from my ex-wife, so I spend 50 percent of my time with my children, and she spends 50 percent. Therefore, my ex-wife and I see each other constantly and communicate normally.
- Can you compare the biathlon atmosphere at the iconic German stages here?
- Of course, we have a different mentality with the Germans. In Germany, the audience is also more international. There are much more Norwegians, Russians, and here 90 percent of the viewers are French.
- But there are Russians here too?
- Yes, of course, but before so many Frenchmen have never been to biathlon. This is great.
“The athlete could not go against the system. And it's sad "
- Why do you think that Martin Fourcade is cooler than Bjoerndalen in best years?
- These are different athletes. Ole is Norwegian and he was born to ski, so he was a better skier in his best years, but Martin is a true all-round soldier who can shoot and ski very well. He is by far the perfect biathlete and the best biathlete of all time because he can do everything. But I don't think he will run even at 43.
- Will he run out of motivation soon?
- Motivation can always be found, but what about family? He has two children, I have three, and I know what it is. And Bjoerndalen only recently had his first child. When you have a family, you can't live biathlon all the time.
- For several years you worked as a coach in Belarus. Belarusians and Russians have a common mentality. How do you see him?
- I stayed in Belarus good friend with whom we maintain good relations, but the system is really different there than in Norway or France. It is very difficult for Russian people to change something in life. They just don't want it. They are afraid to change the training system, to change consciousness. This takes time, it takes a new generation of athletes to grow up, and they want nothing to change and, at the same time, to immediately have a result. It doesn't work that way. I tried to change something in Belarus, but they didn't want to wait. They wanted to be the best tomorrow.
- How do you see the current situation in Russian sports? I mean all these doping scandals and investigations.
- I don't know how many athletes were actually involved in the doping system. But I think it was part of government policy. It was not so easy for an athlete to make a choice, go against the system or obey it. It is very sad.
I understand how difficult it will be for your athletes to perform without their flag and anthem, but sports should not suffer from this. Therefore, the leadership of your country did the right thing, which gave the athletes the opportunity to perform.
- It is generally accepted in Russia that this is part of a new Cold War.
- The Cold War between America and Russia is indeed returning, but Russia's doping problems have nothing to do with it. McLaren's investigations prove it. We're talking about sports, not politics.
"The French are afraid of Putin"
- In your opinion, athletes might not have known about the system you are talking about?
- Of course. Therefore, I am opposed to excluding Russia from sports, be it biathlon or any other sport. We need Russia. In addition, I understand that these are different things when athletes were forced to take doping and when they did it voluntarily.
- Do you think the IOC made a fair decision?
- Of course. It was difficult to do. And I understand how difficult it will be for your athletes to perform without their flag and anthem, but sports should not suffer from this. Therefore, the leadership of your country did the right thing, which gave the athletes the opportunity to perform.
The IOC's decision is unfair, but we'll go. To spite the enemies! How it was
The Olympic meeting of athletes decided that it was necessary to go to the 2018 Games even without a flag and anthem. It was difficult, but they were able to.
- What do ordinary people in France think of Putin?
- They are afraid of him. There are several people in the world, such as the head of North Korea, the presidents of America and Russia, who are feared by people around the world. Who knows what these dangerous people might do?
- You worked as a trainer, TV journalist, worker at an oil station. What do you plan to do in the future and what experience did you like the most?
- I liked everything what I did in life, but the best years were when I was an athlete. But now biathlon is not that important in my life. I try to spend time with my wife, kids and friends. It is important for me to be close to loved ones, and biathlon does not provide such an opportunity.