“Good luck, you must feel very alone”: Libération reporter Marie Thimonnier in the World Cup’s male bastion

Marie Thimonnier, a reporter for the French newspaper Libération, shared her experiences as one of only two female French print journalists accredited for the World Cup. She described the environment as a male bastion where she encountered sexist remarks and felt like an outsider, comparing herself to the 'Smurfette' character.

Thimonnier recounted the difficulties of simply performing her job amidst these challenges. The article highlights the stark gender disparity in sports journalism, with only two women among 80 accredited French print journalists at the event. This imbalance created an atmosphere where female reporters had to actively assert themselves to be taken seriously and to carry out their work.

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Good luck, you must feel very alone.

Her account underscores the persistent issues of sexism and exclusion faced by women in male-dominated fields, even in professional settings like major international sporting events. Thimonnier's experience emphasizes the need for greater inclusivity and a more equitable environment for women in journalism.

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Between sexist remarks and the feeling of being the Smurfette of the service, we had to elbow our way through just to do our job.