In the 1950s, Christiane Roux found her passion for sports upon entering college in Montpellier. Despite struggling academically, she excelled in various sports such as athletics, tennis, basketball, and swimming. However, participating in sports as a girl was frowned upon; Roux often concealed her involvement to avoid judgments like being called “tomboy.” In competitions like the French High Jump Championships, strict attire regulations existed, such as the length of shorts.

Financial constraints pushed her to engage in activities that were free, and she even had to harvest grapes to afford a tennis racquet. Training was mostly self-directed, with boys providing guidance.

Motivated by her love for Montpellier, Roux contributed her memories to the local archives, particularly as they keep record of lost sporting venues. Roux reminisced about the limited athletic facilities, such as swimming pools and gymnasiums, which were fewer than today. She eagerly follows the Olympics and wishes she could have experienced more opportunities in sports.

Additionally, the Montpellier Archives recently announced a significant collection effort to preserve the history of local sports in preparation for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. The initiative invited community members to submit memorabilia related to sports, enriching the city’s historical collections.