The campaign is in full swing. The name of the new president of the International Olympic Committee will be announced at the end of March, during the 144th session of the body. David Lappartient is emerging as a strong candidate. He has successively chaired the French Cycling Federation (2009-2017), the European Cycling Union (2013-2017) and the International Cycling Union (since 2017). A CV to which he has added the line of president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee in 2023. Before attempting to directly appeal to voters during the oral exam scheduled for Thursday, behind closed doors, the UCI president gave an interview to AFP. The exercise allowed him to share his vision, and to suggest a connection with Thomas Bach.
All in balance
The next IOC president will take office in June. Among the issues that will be at the top of his pile: the place given to Russian – and Belarusian – athletes in the context of the war in Ukraine, which has been going on for more than three years now. David Lappartient is not yet getting involved in this burning issue. "Historically, Russians have always been a sporting nation and the very role and mission of the IOC is to unite people in a more peaceful way through sport., recalls the Breton. They are naturally destined to take their place in the world of sport.” A position generally shared within the Olympic movement, but Lappartient is careful not to be precise on the real point to be unravelled: the conditions of such a return. "There will be a decision to be taken in due course on the matter, he adds. For Milan 2026, I think we should not rush to answer this question." In the middle of an election campaign, it is better to avoid offending anyone. So the hot potato will be for later.
The Paris 2024 Games have highlighted another sensitive subject, that of transgender athletes, with the controversy surrounding the coronation of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. “Everyone is welcome in the world of sport, transgender people are welcome, asks the candidate. But the participation of transgender people in competitions in the sex in which they would like to compete is not a fundamental right, as long as it must not alter or call into question equality of opportunity and fair competition. The IOC says that this must be regulated sport by sport, which is not illogical. It will be necessary to go deeper, I think that we cannot do without scientific work which necessarily takes time.
Evolutions more than revolutions
As a fine politician, the former mayor of Sarzeau (Morbihan) smooths out the rough edges. In his program, there is no proposal that breaks the codes like that of the Japanese Morinari Watanabe, who is in favor of organizing the Games simultaneously on five continents. The Frenchman cites his desire to seize the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, explore the field of eSports or even work actively on organizing the Games on the African continent. Measures that are a consensus within the Olympic movement. Lappartient is therefore not taking any major risks. "Much has already been achieved in recent years under the presidency of Thomas Bach, whose determined action to promote sport and our values I salute., he writes in his manifesto. It will be appropriate to continue this action while knowing how to respond to the challenges of a changing world. However, I still believe more in evolutions than in revolutions." If he wins, the Frenchman would shake up the codes by his age: 51 years old. Thomas Bach and Jacques Rogge became presidents of the IOC at 59 years old, and Juan Antonio Samaranch at 60 years old.
