Sergei Bubka
Gérard Rancinan
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.