The former president of the French Rugby Federation and Bernard Lapasset died Tuesday around 10 p.m. at the age of 75, the FFR told AFP. He was also former president of the International Rugby Federation and honorary president of the organizing committee for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
A major sports leader, boss of French and then world rugby, architect of the Paris-2024 Olympics, he had been suffering from a long illness for several years. “France loses with the death of Bernard Lapasset a great lover of sport and one of its best historical ambassadors”, reacted the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castera.
“Founder of Paris 2024”
The former second line, born in Tarbes, was president of the French rugby federation for a long time (1991-2007), succeeding the legendary Albert Ferrasse and notably winning the organization of the 2007 World Cup. He then left the FFR to head the IRB (International Rugby Board, the International Federation), which later became World Rugby, between 2007 and 2016.
Lapasset had also been appointed co-chairman of the bid committee for the Paris Olympics in 2024. “The founder of Paris-2024 passed away yesterday. Bernard Lapasset was an extraordinary sports leader. Epicurean, altruistic and benevolent, I appreciate how lucky I was to grow up alongside him. His disappearance is a huge loss, ”tweeted Tony Estanguet, the current boss of the organizing committee.