Bernard Lapasset (20 October 1947 – 3 May 2023) was 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 was also vice-chairman of the

National Olympic Committee A National Olympic Committee (NOC) is a national constituent of the worldwide Olympic movement. Subject to the controls of the International Olympic Committee, NOCs are responsible for organizing their people's participation in the Olympic Games ...

(CNOSF). Lapasset 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 Rio 2016.

Biography

Lapasset was born in Tarbes,

Hautes-Pyrénées Hautes-Pyrénées (; Gascon/ Occitan: ''Nauts Pirenèus / Hauts Pirenèus'' awts piɾeˈnɛʊs ; alts piɾiˈneʊs ) is a department in the region of Occitania, southwestern France. The department is bordered by Pyrénées-Atlantiques to t ...

on 20 October 1947. He was married and had 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 was 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 was chairman of the regional rugby in Île-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. 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 was an Officer of the

Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour ( ), formerly the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour (), is the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit, both military and Civil society, civil. Currently consisting of five cl ...

and co-chairman of the France New Zealand Friendship Fund. 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. Lapasset was also the co-chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Lapasset died from Alzheimer's disease in Louit on 2 May 2023, at the age of 75.

Controversy

The 1993 French Rugby Union Championship was won by

Castres Castres (; ''Castras'' in the Languedocian dialect, Languedocian dialect of Occitan language, Occitan) is the sole Subprefectures in France, subprefecture of the Tarn (department), Tarn Departments of France, department in the Occitania (adminis ...

who beat

Grenoble Grenoble ( ; ; or ; or ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of the Isère Departments of France, department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regions of France, region ...

14–11 in the final, in a match decided by an irregular try accorded by the referee. A try of Olivier Brouzet was denied to Grenoble and the decisive try by Gary Whetton was awarded by the referee, Daniel Salles, when in fact the defender Franck Hueber from Grenoble touched down the ball first in his try zone. This error gave the title to Castres. Daniel Salles admitted the error 13 years later. Jacques Fouroux conflict with the Federation cry out conspiracy.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lapasset, Bernard 1947 births 2023 deaths People from Tarbes World Rugby Committee members Officers of the Legion of Honour Honorary officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit Grand Cordons of the Order of the Rising Sun Presidents of the French Rugby Federation French sports executives and administrators