He was the voice of athletics for many years at France Televisions. After 33 years of career, Patrick Montel announced his retirement on the set of Stage 2 on November 8, 2020, after being sidelined by his group for several months because of his comments about doping in 2019. Today, the sports commentator would dream of being able to comment on the Paris Olympic Games in 2024. And why not in the company of Nelson Monfort.
Indeed, between the two, a great friendship reigns. And yet, everything almost fell apart several years ago, as revealed Patrick Montel on the set of At Jordan’s this Monday, September 25, 2023. Invited by Jordan de Luxe, the ex-voice of athletics remembered an altercation with the man at the edge of the Roland-Garros courts and the athletics tracks.
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No problem between Nelson Monfort and Patrick Montel despite this altercation
“There is no problem with Nelson”he assured straight away, before specifying: “none, even if they tried to oppose us over the cassettes”. Surprised by this sentence, Jordan de Luxe wanted to know more. “Nelson had cleared a cupboard that belonged to me in which there were my reporting tapes and we found them in the trash (…) things that were close to my heart. At the time I would have strangled him”then confided Patrick Montel.
However, there is no reason to end their beautiful friendship, as the journalist assures:“I’m not resentful”. “But he didn’t do it badly. Nelson is not a bad person. It has calmed down to the extent that once it goes down, not being resentful I have no worries. And he apologized.”, he finally clarified. All’s well that ends well, and that’s a good thing. Because otherwise, Patrick Montel would no longer be able to “use” his colleague to give lessons.
Indeed, still at Jordan de Luxe, the former sports commentator indicated that he gave journalism courses. And to instruct his students, he “always use Nelson interviews!”. “He’s the only journalist I know who has never said bad things about anyone […] Nelson is the star of the service […] I always liked the character, even if I am very different from him”he finally concluded, proving, at the same time, that he is far from holding grudges.
RF