PARIS – The current president of the French Olympic Committee, David Lappartient, has announced he will not pursue another term later this year following his recent election defeat against Kirsty Coventry for the position of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President.
Coventry’s victory marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman and first African to ever hold this esteemed position, surpassing six other contenders in the process. During the election, Lappartient managed to secure only four out of a possible 97 votes.
Appointed as the head of the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) in June 2023, Lappartient played a significant role when Paris successfully organized the Summer Games and Paralympics last year. Under his leadership, France also earned the opportunity to host the 2030 Winter Olympics.
In his brief tenure with the IOC, which started three years ago, Lappartient has made rapid progress. One of his notable achievements includes orchestrating a 12-year agreement with Saudi Arabia to develop and host the Esport Olympics, a new video gaming initiative set to debut in 2027.
In a letter addressed to the French Olympic Committee’s member federations’ directors and presidents, Lappartient highlighted his accomplishments and reiterated his intention to serve only a two-year term. He emphasized the challenge of balancing his various roles, including his ongoing presidency at cycling’s governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
Lappartient, eligible for another term as UCI president from 2025-2029, acknowledged that while managing multiple commitments over the past two years was demanding, such an effort should only be reserved for unusual circumstances.
He ascended to the UCI presidency in 2017 and assumed the CNOSF presidency following the unexpected resignation of Brigitte Henriques. The upcoming election for his replacement at CNOSF is scheduled for June.