The time had to come when my sports reporter self would be of good use to you all. Despite this being anything but a sports-oriented web site, we now have a nothing-short-of-fabulous reason to divert your attention to sports. Remember the Olympics? Remember when you were fighting with your boyfriend/husband over what to watch, because you didn’t want to be subjected to a full day of sports? Well, forget fighting (unless hubby or boyfriend gets jealous after seeing you drooling at the TV screen), because we’re giving you a Hot French “raison” to watch. His name is Camille Lacourt.

Winner of three gold medals at the 2010 European championships, Monsieur Lacourt is a French swimmer, and a very good one at that, as his medal record proves. Born in Narbonne on April 22, 1985 Monsieur Lacourt has backstroke as his specialty (and no, I’m not aware of other “specialties” of his, before you ask), but he won a gold medal in the 4×100 Medley relay as well during the above-mentioned championships. He competed against U.S. champions Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte at the London Olympics earlier this summer. Not just sports-wise, seen as the Americans score pretty well with the ladies, too. But, forgive us, not nearly as much as our dear Camille, who is a concentrate of beauty and sports talent that very rarely comes across. Spread over his 2 meters (6 feet, 6 and 3/4 inches) height. Oh, and did I mention he’s French? Yes, I know, I did. But a man speaking French to me just gets to my head. Le sigh. (See why Michael Vartan is my TV husband? There’s always a good reason). Ahem.

Monsieur Lacourt was cast in a commercial for Edison, a French-Italian energy company, that is to be broadcast in Italy in the coming weeks. A preview of the ad was released on youtube, and of course we’re here to bring it to you. Now listen very carefully, and DO NOT SAY I DIDN’T WARN YOU. Play the video at your own risk, it may cause heart failure. And make sure there are no husbands/boyfriends around if you want to enjoy Camille in all his glory in peace. And yes, with “in all his glory” I mean with nothing on but an iPad covering, you know, what can’t be shown to the public! All while he’s soaking in a bathtub.

The ad is in Italian, seen as it’s aimed for Italian TV, but I’m quite sure you don’t care about the chubby anchorman explaining you can not only save on holidays like Camille, but also on the electricity and gas bill for your home? The chubby, funny anchorman (his name is Gerry Scotti, he’s a popular anchor in Italy) tells Monsieur Lacourt –who is all happy to just have booked a holiday at a cheap price — “Did you know you can save on your home’s electricity and gas bill as well?”. Enter Monsieur Lacourt’s super serious expression. No, you don’t understand. The serious expression of this man deserves a thorough examination in and of itself.

And then the blabbering goes on, but all we care about is what’s in the background (Monsieur Lacourt in the bathtub) and we just don’t want the ad to be over so quickly. At least, for once, I won’t complain when commercials are on. I’m not hearing complaints from y’all either? Thought so. This reminds me of a certain scene in the opening season 2 episode of the USA Network drama “Necessary Roughness”, when the equally ridiculously handsome Mehcad Brooks (who plays Terrence “TK” King on the show) walked out of his Jacuzzi like mama made him. Didn’t hear of any complaints back then either!

Are you finally convinced the Olympics DO deserve your undivided attention, after all? You better be on the lookout for the next international swimming competitions, so you don’t miss out on Monsieur Lacourt (and Mr. Lochte and Mr. Phelps as well, of course). See, these are the times when being a sports reporter is a socially useful service for not only my friends, but also my readers. Risking divorce? Hey, I warned you. I take no responsibility! Now click “play” and enjoy. And stay assured I’ll be ready to alert you when the next sports Adonis is cast in a commercial! Till next time, lovelies!