Bernard Lapasset
Bernard Lapasset ONZM (born 20 October 1947) is a French rugby administrator who was Chairman of the World Rugby from 2008 to 2016. He previously served as President of the French Federation of Rugby Union from 1991 to May 2008, when Pierre Camou, then Vice-President took over. He is also vice-chairman of the National Olympic Committee.
Bernard Lapasset | |
---|---|
Chairman of the International Rugby Board | |
In office 1 January 2008 – 30 June 2016 | |
Preceded by | Syd Millar |
Succeeded by | Bill Beaumont |
President of the French Rugby Federation | |
In office 14 December 1991 – 12 July 2008 | |
Preceded by | Albert Ferrasse |
Succeeded by | Pierre Camou |
Personal details | |
Born | Tarbes, France | 20 October 1947
Lapasset was born in Tarbes, Hautes-Pyrénées.
He played a critical role in France winning the hosting rights to the 2007 Rugby World Cup and its organisation and the introduction of rugby sevens into the Olympics for 2016.[1]
Biography
He is married and has three children. Law degree and office, he was Director of Customs (General Directorate of Customs and Excise.) before embarking on a career in rugby administration.
As a player of rugby, he is junior champion of France Agen Reichel with the U.S. in 1967 and Champion of France with the U.S. Customs Corporate Paris. As leader, he is chairman of the regional rugby in Ile-de-France from 1988 to 1992, then secretary general of the French Rugby Federation in 1991.
In 2003, he helped obtain for France, the organization of the World Cup Rugby 2007. Since 2004, he was president of ILM 2007 World Cup.[2]
On 19 October 2007 he was elected president of the IRB and thus succeeded Syd Millar. He served two terms and was succeeded by Englishman Bill Beaumont on 1 July 2016.
Lapasset is an Officer of the Legion of Honour and co-chairman of France Friendship Fund New Zealand. In the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed an honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to France–New Zealand relations.[3]
He's also the co-chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
References
- "Bernard Lapasset Elected IRB Chairman". Sportbusiness.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2012.
- "Exclusive Bernard Lapasset Interview Part 2: My Hopes and Fears for the Game". Frenchrugbyclub.com. 29 October 2008.
- "Queen's Birthday honours list 2006". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2020.