Born: 1958 (Annecy, Haute-Savoie)
Biography:
Jeannie Longo, born on October 31, 1958, in Annecy, Haute-Savoie, is a French racing cyclist who has left an indelible mark on the sport. With an impressive record of 25 French championships and 13 world championships, Longo’s career is a testament to her exceptional talent and dedication to cycling.
Longo’s journey in the world of sports began in 1975 when she first started racing. From the start, it was clear that she possessed a rare combination of skill and determination that would set her apart. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles along the way, Longo’s steadfastness and relentless pursuit of excellence propelled her to the pinnacle of the sport.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest female cyclists of all time, Longo’s outstanding achievements were overshadowed by suspicions of doping throughout her career. While her reputation may be tainted by these allegations, there is no denying the impact she had on the sport and her enduring influence on future generations of cyclists.
One of Longo’s most remarkable attributes was her incredible longevity in the sport. In 2008, when she was selected to compete for France in the Olympics, it marked her seventh Olympic Games. This feat was a testament to her enduring passion for cycling and her unparalleled commitment to her craft. To put her longevity into perspective, some of her competitors in the 2008 Olympics had not even been born when she first competed in the Games back in 1984.
Although Longo had announced that the 2008 Olympics would be her final participation, her competitive spirit remained as strong as ever. In the Women’s road race, she finished 24th, a mere 33 seconds behind the winner, Nicole Cooke. Remarkably, Cooke was just one year old when Longo made her Olympic debut. In the road time trial, Longo finished 4th, missing out on a bronze medal by a mere two seconds.
In her illustrious career, Longo has amassed a total of four Olympic medals, including one gold. This places her as the second highest female medal winner in the history of French summer or winter Olympians, just one medal short of fencer Laura Flessel-Colovic.
Longo’s road to success began in her hometown of Annecy, in the French Alps, where she initially pursued a career as a downhill skier. After achieving remarkable success in skiing, including winning the French schools’ ski championship and three university skiing championships, Longo made a pivotal decision to switch to cycling. Encouraged by her coach and future husband, Patrice Ciprelli, she quickly adapted to her new sport.
Within a few months of transitioning to cycling, Longo made a resounding impact by winning the French road race championship at the age of 21. This victory marked the beginning of a remarkable career that would see her compete and excel in both road and track cycling events.
While Longo’s achievements are undeniably impressive, her career was marred by doping controversies. In September 1987, she tested positive for ephedrine after a 3 km world record attempt in Colorado Springs. This led to a one-month ban from the sport. In September 2011, Longo faced further scrutiny when she missed three doping tests and became the subject of an investigation by the FFC (French Cycling Federation). However, due to procedural errors and a failure to notify Longo in advance of the targeted testing, she was ultimately let off without penalty.
It later came to light that Longo’s husband, Patrice Ciprelli, had purchased the performance-enhancing drug EPO from China through former professional cyclist Joe Papp. Ciprelli confessed to purchasing the drug for his own personal use and was found guilty in May 2016. He was given a one-year suspended jail sentence and fined €12,800.
Despite the controversies surrounding Longo’s career, her impact on women’s cycling is undeniable. Her prowess as an athlete has inspired generations of female cyclists and cemented her status as a trailblazer in women’s sports. Longo’s dedication to her craft and her unwavering passion for cycling will forever be remembered as a seminal chapter in the history of women’s cycling.
Awards:
– 25-time French Champion
– 13-time World Champion
– Olympic Gold Medalist (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze)