Athletic Club de Boulogne Billencourt
Encyclopedia
Athletic Club de Boulogne-Billancourt or A.C.B.B. is a French
sports club
based in the suburbs of Paris
in the commune of Boulogne-Billancourt
. The club offers a variety of sports, but is primarily known for cycling
, rugby union
, judo
, figure skating
, and swimming
. In all sports combined, Boulogne-Billancourt has produced 28 Olympic medal
ists, 42 World champions
, and 67 European champions, if you take into account the sports club predecessor, which comprised seven local sports clubs in the area. The last Olympic medalist was Larbi Benboudaoud
, who captured the silver medal
at the 2000 Summer Olympics
in Sydney
, Australia
.
. Under the leadership of the mayor
, at the time, Yves Colmar, he urged the following clubs; L'Association Cycliste de Boulogne-Billancourt, U.S.S.O.B., Les Amis de la Boule Ferrée, La Jeunesse Sportive, Lou Païs Athlétic Club, Le Rowing Club de Boulogne, and Les Sauveteurs Marinier to merge in order to form a single entity in the city. As a result, the club was formed and initially began with only 350 members.
In 1963, Boulogne-Billancourt celebrated its 20th anniversary and increased its membersship to over 6,000 athletes, who played under 28 branches of sport, which included ice hockey
, which had been added two years prior. At the 1992 Summer Olympics
, held in Barcelona
, Spain
, the club was honored with being the best sporting club in Europe
and second-best in the world, following three alumnus capturing of two gold medals and one silver. At the start of the new millennium, the club had over 34 branches of sport and increased their membership to over 9,000.
Athletic Club de Boulogne-Billancourt's cycling section of the club originally began in 1924 under L'Association Cycliste de Boulogne-Billancourt. The cycling section of the club is celebrated as the club's most influential section and is touted as one of the best in France
and in the world as the club regularly trains riders from various countries such as England
, the Republic of Ireland
, Australia
, Scotland
, and Estonia
. The section has produced numerous cycling champions, which include Roger Rioland, Pierre Adam, André Darrigade
, Jean Stablinski
, Bernard Thévenet
, and Stephen Roche
, to name a few. One of the most notable cyclists that emerged from the club was Jacques Anquetil
who became the first cyclists in the history of the sport to win five Tour de France
. Anquetil also won two Giro d'Italia
, one Vuelta a España
, and captured two medals in Olympic competition.
Prior to 1977 the club was for French riders only. However, in 1977, the club changed their policy and started their very own Foreign Legion, which was composed onf international cyclists. The club provided the new riders with bikes, clothes, and accommodation and expenses leaving the rider with the job of training and winning races. Notable international cyclists that started with the club include Stephen Roche
, Phil Anderson
, Robert Millar
, Sean Yates
, Jacques Boyer
, Graham Jones
, Jaan Kirsipuu
, and Paul Sherwen
.
, kayaking
, figure skating
, swimming
, rugby
, and association football.
In judo, the club has produced gold medalists in Cécile Nowak
and Catherine Fleury, who both won golds in their respective weight classes at the 1992 Summer Olympics
. Nowak had previously been a World champion after winning gold at the 1991 World Judo Championships
. Pascal Tayot
won a silver medal in his weight class, also at the 1992 Olympics, and later won gold the following year at the 1993 Mediterranean Games
. Larbi Benboudaoud
was the last medalist in the club's judo section after winning the silver medal
at the 2000 Summer Olympics
in Sydney
, Australia
.
In kayaking, the club is notable for having produced World champion Bernard Brégeon
who won a gold medal at the 1982 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
in the K-2 10000 metres event. Brégeon later earned bronze and silver at the 1985
and 1986
events, respectively. The club achieved success at the 1984 Summer Olympics
in Los Angeles
when Brégeon obtained the silver medal following his performance in the K-2 1000 metres. Brégeon also won the bronze in the K-2 500 metres event. Also at the Olympics, Didier Vavasseur
captured the bronze medal in the K-4 1000 metres event.
In swimming, the club hasn't produced many medals, but have sent the likes of David Holderbach, Lionel Poirot, and Frédéric Lefèvre to various Olympic Games ranging from the 1988 Games
to 1996
. One of the club's notable swimmers was Yann de Frabique, who, though didn't perform well on the Olympic stage, won eight medals in three Summer Universiade Games.
In figure skating, Alain Calmat
is one of the more notable skaters who originated from the club. Calmat won over 25 medals, which includes five golds at the French Figure Skating Championships
, three golds at the European Figure Skating Championships
, and one gold at the World Figure Skating Championship. Calmat also won a silver medal at the 1964 Winter Olympics
, held in Innsbruck
, Austria
. Other notable skaters that began their careers at the club include Alain Giletti
, an early rival of Calmat, who won over 20 medals, 16 of them gold, Patrick Péra
, who succeeded Calmat and Giletti, who won two bronze medals, one each at the 1968 Winter Olympics
and the 1972 Games
, and Surya Bonaly
, who won over 20 medals while active.
In team sports, Boulogne-Billancourt is hardly relevant, excluding the ice hockey team, which has won the Ligue Magnus
three times and has also won the prestigious Spengler Cup
on three occasions. In rugby, the team is currently playing in Fédérale 2
, the fourth division of French rugby
. Notable players who have played rugby with the team include Nick Mallett
, who currently manages the Italy rugby union national team, Michel Tachdjian, and Abdelatif Benazzi
.
In football, the club has struggled with regards to senior football, but has performed well in youth often reaching the final rounds of the Coupe Gambardella
. The club unofficially serves as a feeder club to Paris Saint-Germain who often recruit young players from the club. Currently, 16-year olds Jason Bli and Ilan Boccara are highly sought-after recruits who currently play for Paris Saint-Germain after joining the club from Boulogne-Billancourt. It can also be described the other way around as youth players who are often rejected by Paris Saint-Germain often are recruited by Boulogne-Billancourt. Boulogne-Billancourt regularly send their players to the prestigious Clairefontaine
academy.
Notable players that started their careers at the club include Hatem Ben Arfa
, who is a French international
and currently plays for Newcastle United, Issiar Dia
, who is a Senegalese international
, Loïc Damour
, Tripy Makonda
, and Ishak Belfodil
, who play professionally for Strasbourg
, Paris Saint-Germain, and Olympique Lyonnais
, respectively.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
sports club
Sports club
A sports club or sport club, sometimes athletics club or sports association is a club for the purpose of playing one or more sports...
based in the suburbs of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in the commune of Boulogne-Billancourt
Boulogne-Billancourt
Boulogne-Billancourt is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. Boulogne-Billancourt is a sub-prefecture of the Hauts-de-Seine department and the seat of the Arrondissement of Boulogne-Billancourt....
. The club offers a variety of sports, but is primarily known for cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
, rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, figure skating
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
, and swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
. In all sports combined, Boulogne-Billancourt has produced 28 Olympic medal
Medal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
ists, 42 World champions
IAAF World Championships in Athletics
The World Championships in Athletics is an event organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations . Originally, it was organised every four years, but this changed in 1991, and it has since been organised biennially.-History:...
, and 67 European champions, if you take into account the sports club predecessor, which comprised seven local sports clubs in the area. The last Olympic medalist was Larbi Benboudaoud
Larbi Benboudaoud
Larbi Benboudaoud is a judoka from France, who won the silver medal in the half lightweight division at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia...
, who captured the silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
at the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
History
Athletic Club de Boulogne-Billancourt was founded on 18 March 1943 by Peter Klemann as a result of mergers between seven different sports club located in Boulogne-BillancourtBoulogne-Billancourt
Boulogne-Billancourt is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. Boulogne-Billancourt is a sub-prefecture of the Hauts-de-Seine department and the seat of the Arrondissement of Boulogne-Billancourt....
. Under the leadership of the mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
, at the time, Yves Colmar, he urged the following clubs; L'Association Cycliste de Boulogne-Billancourt, U.S.S.O.B., Les Amis de la Boule Ferrée, La Jeunesse Sportive, Lou Païs Athlétic Club, Le Rowing Club de Boulogne, and Les Sauveteurs Marinier to merge in order to form a single entity in the city. As a result, the club was formed and initially began with only 350 members.
In 1963, Boulogne-Billancourt celebrated its 20th anniversary and increased its membersship to over 6,000 athletes, who played under 28 branches of sport, which included ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
, which had been added two years prior. At the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
, held in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, the club was honored with being the best sporting club in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and second-best in the world, following three alumnus capturing of two gold medals and one silver. At the start of the new millennium, the club had over 34 branches of sport and increased their membership to over 9,000.
Cycling
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and in the world as the club regularly trains riders from various countries such as England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
. The section has produced numerous cycling champions, which include Roger Rioland, Pierre Adam, André Darrigade
André Darrigade
André Darrigade was a French professional road bicycle racer between 1951 and 1966. Darrigade, a road sprinter won the 1959 World Championship and 22 stages of the Tour de France. Five of those were on the first day. The record has never been equalled.-Origins:André Darrigade was born at Narosse,...
, Jean Stablinski
Jean Stablinski
Jean Stablewski, known as Jean Stablinski was a French professional cyclist from a family of Polish immigrants. He rode from 1952 to 1968, winning 105 races as a professional...
, Bernard Thévenet
Bernard Thévenet
Bernard Thévenet, born 10 January 1948, in Saint-Julien-de-Civry, Saône-et-Loire, is a retired French bicycle racer. He is a two-time winner of the Tour de France and known for ending the reign of five-time Tour champion Eddy Merckx...
, and Stephen Roche
Stephen Roche
Stephen Roche is a retired professional road racing cyclist. In a 13-year professional career, he peaked in 1987, becoming only the second cyclist to win the Triple Crown of victories in the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia stage races, plus the World road race championship...
, to name a few. One of the most notable cyclists that emerged from the club was Jacques Anquetil
Jacques Anquetil
Jacques Anquetil was a French road racing cyclist and the first cyclist to win the Tour de France five times, in 1957 and from 1961 to 1964...
who became the first cyclists in the history of the sport to win five Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
. Anquetil also won two Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia , also simply known as The Giro, is a long distance road bicycle racing stage race for professional cyclists held over three weeks in May/early June in and around Italy. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours , and is part of the UCI World Ranking calendar...
, one Vuelta a España
Vuelta a España
The Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages...
, and captured two medals in Olympic competition.
Prior to 1977 the club was for French riders only. However, in 1977, the club changed their policy and started their very own Foreign Legion, which was composed onf international cyclists. The club provided the new riders with bikes, clothes, and accommodation and expenses leaving the rider with the job of training and winning races. Notable international cyclists that started with the club include Stephen Roche
Stephen Roche
Stephen Roche is a retired professional road racing cyclist. In a 13-year professional career, he peaked in 1987, becoming only the second cyclist to win the Triple Crown of victories in the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia stage races, plus the World road race championship...
, Phil Anderson
Phil Anderson
Philip Grant Anderson OAM is an Australian former professional racing cyclist who was the first non-European to wear the yellow jersey of the Tour de France.-Origins:...
, Robert Millar
Robert Millar
Robert Millar is a former Scottish professional cyclist who won the “King of the Mountains” competition in the 1984 Tour de France and finished fourth overall – sharing the highest Tour position for a British cyclist with Bradley Wiggins, and the first time a Briton had won a major Tour...
, Sean Yates
Sean Yates
Sean Yates is an English former professional cyclist and head Directeur Sportif at Team Sky.-Career:Yates competed at the 1980 Summer Olympics, finishing sixth in the 4,000m individual pursuit. He also competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics...
, Jacques Boyer
Jacques Boyer
Jonathan "Jacques" or "Jock" Boyer was a professional bicycle racer who, in 1981, was the first American to participate in the Tour de France. Boyer grew up in Monterey, California and was a member of the Velo Club Monterey there....
, Graham Jones
Graham Jones (cyclist)
Graham Jones is a former professional English road racing cyclist from Manchester, England. He rode in the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia. He is often described as one of the classiest riders that the UK has produced, but his career was hindered by being over raced in his early days, and by...
, Jaan Kirsipuu
Jaan Kirsipuu
Jaan Kirsipuu is an Estonian road bicycle racer, living in Estonia. Kirsipuu initially retired at the end of the 2006, but participated in the 2007 Estonian championship, becoming time trial champion for the sixth time. In 2008 he was the manager of Latvian UCI Continental cycling team Rietumu...
, and Paul Sherwen
Paul Sherwen
Paul Sherwen is an English former professional racing cyclist. He is now a broadcaster on cycling, notably the Tour de France. He raced in seven editions of the Tour, finishing five, and gained a reputation for his ability to suffer over long mountain stages.-Cycling career:Born in Widnes,...
.
Other sports
Other primary sports Athletic Club de Boulogne-Billancourt are relatively strong at are notably judoJudo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
, figure skating
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
, and association football.
In judo, the club has produced gold medalists in Cécile Nowak
Cécile Nowak
Cécile Nowak is a French judoka, world champion and olympic champion. She won a gold medal in the extra lightweight division at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona....
and Catherine Fleury, who both won golds in their respective weight classes at the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
. Nowak had previously been a World champion after winning gold at the 1991 World Judo Championships
1991 World Judo Championships
The 1991 World Judo Championships were the 17th edition of the World Judo Championships, and were held in Barcelona, Spain from July 25 to July 28, 1991.-Men:-Women:-Medals table:...
. Pascal Tayot
Pascal Tayot
Pascal Tayot is a retired judoka from France. He claimed the silver medal in the Men's Middleweight division at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. In the final he was defeated by Poland's Waldemar Legień.-References:*...
won a silver medal in his weight class, also at the 1992 Olympics, and later won gold the following year at the 1993 Mediterranean Games
1993 Mediterranean Games
The 12th edition of the Mediterranean Games were held in Languedoc-Roussillon, France from the June 16 to June 27, 1993. Nineteen nations competed in 24 different sporting events.- Medal table :- External links and references :* -See also:**...
. Larbi Benboudaoud
Larbi Benboudaoud
Larbi Benboudaoud is a judoka from France, who won the silver medal in the half lightweight division at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia...
was the last medalist in the club's judo section after winning the silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
at the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
In kayaking, the club is notable for having produced World champion Bernard Brégeon
Bernard Brégeon
Bernard Brégeon is a French sprint canoer who competed in the 1980s. Competing in two Summer Olympics, he won two medals at Los Angeles in 1984 with a silver in the K-2 1000 m and a bronze in the K-1 500 m events....
who won a gold medal at the 1982 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
1982 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
The 1982 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships were held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia for the record fourth time. The Yugoslavian city had host the championships previously in 1971, 1975, and 1978....
in the K-2 10000 metres event. Brégeon later earned bronze and silver at the 1985
1985 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
The 1985 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships were held in Mechelen, Belgium.The men's competition consisted of six Canadian and nine kayak events. Three events were held for the women, all in kayak....
and 1986
1986 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
The 1986 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships were held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada at the Île Notre-Dame. This is also where the canoeing and rowing competitions for the 1976 Summer Olympics took place....
events, respectively. The club achieved success at the 1984 Summer Olympics
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
when Brégeon obtained the silver medal following his performance in the K-2 1000 metres. Brégeon also won the bronze in the K-2 500 metres event. Also at the Olympics, Didier Vavasseur
Didier Vavasseur
Didier Vavasseur is a French sprint canoer.-Career:Vavasseur competed in the 1980s. Participating in two Summer Olympics, he won a bronze medal in the K-4 1000 m event at Los Angeles in 1984.-References:*...
captured the bronze medal in the K-4 1000 metres event.
In swimming, the club hasn't produced many medals, but have sent the likes of David Holderbach, Lionel Poirot, and Frédéric Lefèvre to various Olympic Games ranging from the 1988 Games
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
to 1996
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
. One of the club's notable swimmers was Yann de Frabique, who, though didn't perform well on the Olympic stage, won eight medals in three Summer Universiade Games.
Alain Calmat
Alain Calmat is a French former competitive figure skater, surgeon, and politician. He is the 1964 Olympic silver medalist, the 1965 World Champion, the 1962–1964 European Champion, and the 1958 & 1962–1965 French national champion.-Career:Calmat started skating at the age of nine...
is one of the more notable skaters who originated from the club. Calmat won over 25 medals, which includes five golds at the French Figure Skating Championships
French Figure Skating Championships
The French Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of France. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. Skaters compete at the senior level...
, three golds at the European Figure Skating Championships
European Figure Skating Championships
The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion...
, and one gold at the World Figure Skating Championship. Calmat also won a silver medal at the 1964 Winter Olympics
1964 Winter Olympics
The 1964 Winter Olympics, officially known as the IX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Innsbruck, Austria, from January 29 to February 9, 1964...
, held in Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. Other notable skaters that began their careers at the club include Alain Giletti
Alain Giletti
Alain Giletti is a French figure skater. He is the 1960 World champion, the 1955-1957 & 1960-1961 European champion and is a ten-time French national champion. At the age of 12, he represented France at the 1952 Winter Olympics, where he placed 7th...
, an early rival of Calmat, who won over 20 medals, 16 of them gold, Patrick Péra
Patrick Pera
Patrick Péra is a French figure skater. He won the bronze medal in men's singles in the 1968 Winter Olympics and again at the 1972 Winter Olympics.-Competitive highlights:-References:* *...
, who succeeded Calmat and Giletti, who won two bronze medals, one each at the 1968 Winter Olympics
1968 Winter Olympics
The 1968 Winter Olympics, officially known as the X Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1968 in Grenoble, France and opened on 6 February. Thirty-seven countries participated...
and the 1972 Games
1972 Winter Olympics
The 1972 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from February 3 to February 13, 1972 in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan...
, and Surya Bonaly
Surya Bonaly
Surya Bonaly is a French professional figure skater. She is a three-time World Championship silver medalist, a five-time European Champion, the 1991 World Junior Champion and a nine-time French National Champion.-Career:...
, who won over 20 medals while active.
In team sports, Boulogne-Billancourt is hardly relevant, excluding the ice hockey team, which has won the Ligue Magnus
Ligue Magnus
-Former Teams:*Bisons de Neuilly-sur-Marne*Orques d'Anglet*Sangliers Arvernes*Corsaires de Dunkerque*Albatros de Brest*Jets de Viry-Essonne-Defunct Teams:*Diables Noirs de Tours*Hockey Club de Mulhouse*Séquanes de Besançon*Flammes Bleues de Reims...
three times and has also won the prestigious Spengler Cup
Spengler Cup
The Spengler Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament held in Davos, Switzerland. First held in 1923, the Spengler Cup is often cited as the oldest invitational ice hockey tournament in the world. The event is hosted by the Swiss team HC Davos and played each year in Davos, Switzerland, between...
on three occasions. In rugby, the team is currently playing in Fédérale 2
Fédérale 2
Fédérale 2 is a rugby union club championship division in France. It is the fourth division of rugby above Fédérale 3. Teams can earn promotion to Fédérale 1, and subsequently, the professional leagues such as Rugby Pro D2 and the Top 14.-Results:...
, the fourth division of French rugby
Rugby union in France
Rugby union is the second most popular team sport in France, after association football, and is the dominant sport in most of the southern half of the country. It was first introduced in the early 1870s by British residents. Elite French clubs participate in the professional domestic club league,...
. Notable players who have played rugby with the team include Nick Mallett
Nick Mallett
Nicholas Vivian Howard Mallett is a former South African rugby union player who was until recently the head coach of the Italian national team, previously replacing Pierre Berbizier on 3 October 2007...
, who currently manages the Italy rugby union national team, Michel Tachdjian, and Abdelatif Benazzi
Abdelatif Benazzi
Abdelatif Benazzi is a French-Moroccan rugby union footballer who represented both Morocco and France. He played as a lock or back row forward....
.
In football, the club has struggled with regards to senior football, but has performed well in youth often reaching the final rounds of the Coupe Gambardella
Coupe Gambardella
The Coupe Gambardella is a French football cup competition held between the under-19s of the French football clubs, organized by the French Football Federation ....
. The club unofficially serves as a feeder club to Paris Saint-Germain who often recruit young players from the club. Currently, 16-year olds Jason Bli and Ilan Boccara are highly sought-after recruits who currently play for Paris Saint-Germain after joining the club from Boulogne-Billancourt. It can also be described the other way around as youth players who are often rejected by Paris Saint-Germain often are recruited by Boulogne-Billancourt. Boulogne-Billancourt regularly send their players to the prestigious Clairefontaine
Clairefontaine
Le Centre Technique National Fernand Sastre , commonly referred to as INF Clairefontaine , INF, or simply Clairefontaine, is the national association football centre that specializes in training French football players...
academy.
Notable players that started their careers at the club include Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa is a French association football player who plays for English club Newcastle United in the Premier League. He plays as a winger, preferably on the left side, and an attacking midfielder...
, who is a French international
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
and currently plays for Newcastle United, Issiar Dia
Issiar Dia
Issiar Dia is a French-born Senegalese footballer. He currently plays for the Turkish Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe.-Amiens SC:...
, who is a Senegalese international
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
, Loïc Damour
Loïc Damour
Loïc Damour is a French football player who currently plays for French club Boulogne in Ligue 2.-Football career:...
, Tripy Makonda
Tripy Makonda
Tripy Makonda is a French football player who currently plays for French club Stade Brestois 29. He plays as a left back, but can also be utilized as a midfielder on the same side. Makonda is a France youth international and has represented his nation at under-18, under-19, and under-20 level...
, and Ishak Belfodil
Ishak Belfodil
Ishak Belfodil is a Franco-Algerian football player who currently plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1...
, who play professionally for Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
, Paris Saint-Germain, and Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
, respectively.