In his book “Un Siècle de Sport à Villeneuve-Loubet,” Jean-Paul Bulgaridhes pays tribute to sports and the city of Villeneuve-Loubet. The book tells the story of his own contribution to the city’s sports history as the director of the sports department from 2001 to 2014, and later as the sports deputy to Mayor Lionnel Luca during his previous term.
“I didn’t want to tell my life story, that’s not my cup of tea,” he insists. Instead, he prefers to focus on the history of the Étoile Sportive de Villeneuve-Loubet (ESVL), founded in 1922. He had the idea in 2022 to commemorate the club’s 100th anniversary by creating a memorial of its history.
Jean-Paul Bulgaridhes believes in “the importance of memory, even in sports.” He collaborated on this project with Bernard Maccario, president of the French Committee Pierre de Coubertin and author of several sports-related books. Together, they interviewed current sports club presidents and delved into the city’s archives and newspapers.
Their result is a condensed version of 100 years of sports practice, from traditional French games to modern youth structures. The book includes both a historical section and one dedicated to current sports clubs, according to Bulgaridhes.
His self-funded book is published by the Nice-based publishing house Editions Gilletta.
Jean-Paul Bulgaridhes’ career has been deeply intertwined with sports. An avid weightlifter, he has been involved in sports journalism since the 1960s. He also held various positions within the French Weightlifting Federation and the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, participating in several Olympic Games. His enduring passion for sports led him to write and publish this book.
The French Committee Pierre de Coubertin is an association that promotes sports practice and values.
To purchase the book, visit Editionsgilletta.com/produit/un-siecle-de-sport-a-villeneuve-loubet/.
