"The France loses with the death of Bernard Lapasset a great lover of sport and one of its best historical ambassadors," responded the Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castera, after the announcement of his death at the age of 75 by the FFR, confirmed to AFP by the family.

Alternately president of the French Rugby Federation from 1991 to 2008 and then of the International Rugby Board (IRB), the International Federation (now World Rugby), until 2016, before co-chairing the bid committee for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Lapasset was at the heart of French sport for more than thirty years.

"Bernard Lapasset has dedicated his life to rugby, both as a player, coach, manager and ambassador. Its impact on the development and promotion of rugby in France and around the world is undeniable," the FFR said in a statement that described its former strongman as "an eminent leader of French sport in recent decades".

The National Rugby League also joined the tribute by inviting the oval ball world in a statement to observe "a minute of applause (..) on all terrains" this weekend on the occasion of the 24th day of Top 14 and the 30th day of Pro D2.

"Through his leadership and passion for our sport, Bernard Lapasset has allowed French rugby to shine on the national, European and world stage," said NRL President René Bouscatel.

"Throughout his tenure, his passion and dedication have always been evident. The sport can be proud of what World Rugby has achieved during his presidency," Bill Beaumont, the current president of the world body, said in a statement.

Bernard Lapasset (right) with his predecessor Albert Ferrasse during a meeting of the FFR, July 4, 1992 in Deauville © Joël SAGET / AFP / Archives

Second anonymous line, whose main fact of glory remains a title of champion of junior France with Agen in 1967 against Béziers, the Tarbais then proved to be a high-level leader.

Professionalization of rugby

At the FFR, where he succeeded the omnipotent Albert Ferrasse (1968-1991), he took the turn of the professionalization of rugby in France before imagining the national center of France teams in Marcoussis and then winning the first World Cup in France, in 2007.

Lapasset, a shrewd strategist, also worked to reintegrate rugby sevens into the Olympic program.

Elected president of the IRB in 2007, narrowly re-elected in 2011, he had focused his policy on the globalization of rugby, opening the body to emerging countries, with the attribution of the 2019 World Cup to Japan and the integration of Argentina into the Tri-Nations, now called Rugby Championship, of the southern hemisphere.

Bernard Lapasset presenting his candidacy project for the head of the FFR during a press briefing, December 13, 1991 in Paris © Michel CLEMENT / AFP / Archives

After two terms, he left his chair at the International Federation and devoted himself fully to the French bid for the Olympic Games. And wins this fight, once again, before becoming honorary president of the organizing committee.

A key figure in French sport, the imposing Lapasset, at 1.91 m, had been able to put himself in the shadows, placing athletes at the heart of the Paris-2024 bid.

In the couple he quickly formed with Tony Estanguet, it was the three-time Olympic champion who took center stage.

"Legacy"

"The founder of Paris-2024 passed away yesterday. Bernard Lapasset was an extraordinary sports executive. Epicurean, altruistic and benevolent, I measure the chance I had to grow up alongside him. His passing is a huge loss," Estanguet tweeted.

Settled in Louit, a village of 200 inhabitants in the Hautes-Pyrénées where he had rehabilitated the family home, Lapasset had been the first deputy mayor André Trinc for two and a half terms.

(FILES) International Rugby Board Bernard Lapasset at the IRB, of which he was then president, in November 2014 in London. © Ben STANSALL / AFP/Archives

"Louit, that was it for him. When he was in office in Paris, he went down as soon as he could. He always wanted to know what was going on and talked about Louit to the people he could meet," André Trinc told AFP.

"He wanted to be present at all city council meetings. When he went down to Louit, one could never have imagined the high office he could have had. He was in a T-shirt, very affable with everyone, very simple," added the edile.

Bernard Laporte, former president of the FFR and coach of the XV of France under the presidency of Lapasset, paid tribute to a "great man for rugby", whose "legacy will be eternal".

© 2023 AFP