The Role of Clubs in Structuring French Sport: Case Study of Racing Club de France (1882–1908)

Abstract

Founded in 1882, the Racing Club de France (RCF) was one of the very first sports clubs to exist in France. It began operating only in 1884, however, under the leadership of Georges de St Clair (secretary general) and Ernest Demay (president). After two difficult initial years, RCF was reorganized, and its responsibilities redistributed internally with the aim of starting afresh and extending its networks of influence. Until the end of the fifth President Michel Gondinet’s mandate in 1908, the club was caught between issues of recognition by public authorities and social distinction, as well as geographic conquest and sport propaganda. The previous 26 years had, however, enabled the club’s leaders to lay the foundations of RCF’s long-standing presence in France’s sports sphere, heralding its arrival on the international stage. This article contributes to understanding the political, economic, cultural, and social relationships between the Parisian elite and sport. RCF developed a range of sports, first based on athletics, then opening up to other practices. The stances adopted vis-à-vis values and the champion’s role, as well as infrastructure financing and women’s position, attested not only to a certain relationship to sport, built on excellence and performance, but also to the RCF’s contribution to a social undertaking based on an educational project, a political concept, and the intention to participate in change.