During the semi-final of the 2022 World Cup, Argentina faced Croatia in an intense and decisive match. Lionel Messi, nicknamed “La Pulga”, once again showcased his exceptional talent, leading his team to victory. This memorable encounter was immortalized by photographer Charlotte Wilson in a work titled “La Pulga 2”.

Wilson managed to capture the essence of Messi, his intensity, and his dedication on the field. This photograph not only illustrates Messi’s sporting achievement but also the passion and determination that drive him in every match.

Charlotte Wilson is a renowned photographer specializing in sports photography. Based in the UK, she has worked with numerous international publications and covered major sporting events around the world. Her eye for detail and ability to capture moments of pure emotion have earned her worldwide recognition. With a career rich in varied experiences, Wilson continues to capture images that tell powerful and inspiring stories, highlighting sports heroes in their most glorious moments.

During the winter of 1996, Gérard Rancinan undertook a series of portraits for Paris Match, capturing those likely to be the stars of the upcoming Atlanta Olympics in the summer. The magazine aimed to publish this work just before the event. Among these portraits, the one of Sergey Bubka stands out. Bubka, a pole vault legend, invited Rancinan to Donetsk, Ukraine, during his traditional indoor meet in February. Despite being at the end of his career, Bubka was still dominating his discipline, being the reigning world champion and having won Olympic gold in Seoul.

Rancinan joined the French delegation for the meet and captured this striking portrait of Bubka in the Ukrainian countryside the day after the event. This photo embodies the grandeur and elegance of Bubka, a true sports icon.

Gérard Rancinan is an internationally renowned French photographer, born in 1953. He began his career as a photojournalist, working for prestigious publications such as Paris Match, Life, and Stern. His photographs, often provocative and meaningful, capture historical moments and iconic figures of our time.

Rancinan is known for his powerful portraits of famous personalities, as well as for his artistic works exploring social and political themes. His works have been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide, and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to photography. His unique approach and talent for capturing the essence of his subjects make him one of the most respected and influential contemporary photographers.
At the Kunming Sports Center in Yunnan province, there is a pool that was built only 20 years ago but seems from another era. Here, children aged 4 to 10 defy gravity from vertiginous diving boards. Among them, six-year-old Jiang Feng Xiao Wen is about to perform a double somersault from a 5-meter platform.

“Plongeurs” is extracted from the project “1.3 Billion Athletes”, the major report by Élisa Haberer on sports in China carried out in 2007/2008, before the opening of the Beijing Olympics. To explore the world of Chinese sports and tell the story of a country hosting the Olympics for the first time through this lens, Élisa Haberer traveled across China for fourteen months. This ambitious project, supported by L’Équipe magazine, was widely published in a special issue on August 2, 2008.

In the Kunming sports center in Yunnan Province, there is a swimming pool built only 20 years ago, but which seems to belong to another era. There, children aged 4 to 10 defy gravity from diving boards of dizzying heights. Among them, Jiang Feng Xiao Wen, 6 years old, is about to perform a double somersault from a 5-meter platform.

Élisa Haberer’s ambition is to capture the details that both trivialize and emphasize the differences in her photographs. This project was born from her desire to keep a record of what she observed and felt in China. In 2008, an Olympic year when the whole world was focusing on the host country, she saw the perfect opportunity to dive into Chinese society. For her, sport serves as a wonderful vector to cross geographical, cultural, social, and political borders, even if it is just a pretext in this context. Each image she captures tells a small story that contributes to painting a portrait of contemporary China. During her stay in Kunming, while searching for the disabled swimmer Qian Hongyan, she discovered a striking place that became one of the emblematic subjects of her project.

Élisa Haberer is a French photographer specializing in reportage and cultural documentation. Having lived in Beijing for six years, she has an in-depth knowledge of Chinese society. Her work often aims to capture the nuances and details of daily life, revealing the hidden stories behind each image. Her passion for cultural exploration and her talent for visual storytelling have made her a respected figure in the world of documentary photography.

On November 9, 1996, during the WBA heavyweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Mike Tyson faced Evander Holyfield. In this electrifying context, renowned photographer Neil Leifer captured one of the most iconic moments in boxing: Tyson landing a powerful punch on Holyfield. This striking shot reflects the intensity and brutality of this legendary fight.

Neil Leifer is an American photographer, born on December 28, 1942, in New York. He is best known for his iconic sports photography. Leifer started his career at a very young age and quickly gained recognition for his remarkable shots. He has worked for prestigious publications such as Sports Illustrated, Time, and Life. His career is marked by historical moments, capturing sports scenes in a unique and dramatic way. Leifer is particularly famous for his boxing photos, especially those of Muhammad Ali, and has immortalized many key moments in sports history.

During the winter of 1996, Gérard Rancinan created a series of portraits for Paris Match, highlighting the future stars of the Atlanta Olympic Games. Among these portraits, that of Haile Gebrselassie stands out. Rancinan traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to capture the champion up close.

Accompanied by a local fixer, Gérard Rancinan managed to navigate the city and communicate effectively for his scouting. At that time, Haile Gebrselassie was already a double world champion in the 10,000 meters and the favorite for the Atlanta Games. He confirmed his status by becoming an Olympic champion that year and doubled his success in Sydney in 2000.