History of Le Coq Sportif
The origins of Le Coq Sportif date back to 1882, when Émile Camuset opened a textile workshop in Romilly-sur-Seine, Aube, France. The designer's aim was to make sportswear for his friends involved in cycling, football and rugby. It was cycling that became the discipline whose clothing was included in the first Le Coq Sportif catalogue.
Brand growth
However, the brand did not just stop at cycling, as it became an all-sports brand in 1939. The second half of the 20th century saw an accelerated development, including becoming the official jersey supplier of Tour de France. Brand was also present at the historic success of the French national football team, which came third at the 1958 World Cup, and being the clothing supplier of the French national team at the Rome Olympics. As for tennis, it became the flagship sport for Le Coq Sportif in the mid-1970s, when Arthur Ashe, wearing the French brand's clothing, became the first black winner of Wimbledon. In the following years, French rugby players, Italian footballers and Yannick Noah, the French Open winner, recorded their success in the company's products. It is also very interesting to note that it was in a Le Coq Sportif shirt that Diego Maradona scored his legendary goal in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup. At the time, the Argentine spoke of 'the hand of God'.
Collaborations and ambassadors
Over the years, Le Coq Sportif has produced clothing for many athletes from around the world. Here are some of them:
• Tour de France – t-shirts for cyclists
• French national football team
• French Olympic team at the Olympic Games
• Arthur Ashe
• AS Saint-Etienne
• French national rugby team
• Italian national football team
• Yannick Noah
• Everton
• Argentina national football team
• Girondins Bordeaux
• Justin Henin
• Senegal national football team
• Richard Gaquet
• ACF Fiorentina
• Racing 92
