VIENNA, July 12, 2025 – One of the most prominent sports journalists in the German-speaking world has left us forever – the AIPS family mourns Petz Lahure, the long-time president of the Luxembourg sports journalists. He passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79.

Petz, whose real first name was “Antoine”, was for many years the sports editor of the “Luxemburger Tageblatt”, reported 45 times (!) at the Tour de France, attended every international match of his national team, was an insider of the Luxembourg cycling idols Frank and Andy Schleck, and most recently served as a member of the ethics commission of AIPS.

The AIPS wanted to award him at the congress in Rabat for “A Life in Sport”, but unfortunately, Lahure was no longer able to fly. He had fallen the previous year, suffered a neurological impairment since then, was dependent on a wheelchair, and became in need of care.

On October 7, Petz Lahure would have turned 80 years old. After things didn’t work out with Rabat, Sports Media Austria wanted to invite him to the Sports Gala in Vienna on October 8. Possibilities were already found with the Red Cross to take care of him during his stay in Vienna. AIPS President Gianni Merlo was then supposed to present him with this award on his milestone birthday. Unfortunately, this will no longer happen…

Merlo said: “Petz wasn’t just a colleague, a member of our ethics committee; he was above all a friend. A serious, passionate, and honest journalist. He came every year to the Giro d’Italia, and we stayed in touch. It was always interesting to talk with him and learn from him. His image will live on with us, because he always believed in our Association; he was one of us, who had faith in the future and in the new generations of journalists.”

Our condolences go especially to his long-time partner Marie-Paule, with whom he traveled to his beloved Seefeld in Tyrol (Austria) this January for the last time. He vacationed there every year. Lahure also attended the Sports Media Austria conference every year until 2023, most recently in 2023 in Stubaital, Tyrol.

With Petz Lahure, we are not only losing a great journalist and person, but especially a good and lovable friend.

R.I.P., Petz.