PARIS (AP) - Jacques Goddet, founder of the sports newspaper ''L'Equipe'' and the Tour de France's director general for four decades, has died. He was 95.
Following Goddet's death Friday, French leaders and sports writers voiced condolences.
Sports Minister Marie-George Buffet praised Goddet as ''one of the founding fathers'' of modern sports, who ''knew how to speak with emotion about the beauty of sports.''
Prime Minister Lionel Jospin issued a statement in which he recognized Goddet as having ''set an example for all sports journalists.''
Goddet studied at Oxford before starting his journalism career in 1924, joining the French sports newspaper, ''L'Auto,'' which was co-founded by his father, Victor. He became the newspaper's chief editor in 1928.
After the newspaper folded in 1944, Goddet founded L'Equipe, which became a widely respected voice in sports journalism and one of France's largest newspapers.
He was editor-in-chief of L'Equipe until 1984 and was its honorary president until his death.
As a young reporter, Goddet covered the Tour de France for several years before taking over as interim director for cycling's most prestigious race in 1936. He was the Tour's director general from 1947-1987.
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