The election for the presidency of the CNOSF will be held today at the Maison du Sport français, the organization’s headquarters.
There will be three candidates. Two men and one woman. One incumbent and two challengers. Three candidates for the presidency of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF). After Denis Masseglia, the current president, was the first to start his campaign, followed by David Douillet, the double Olympic judo champion, a third name has been added to the list. Isabelle Lamour, the president of the French Fencing Federation (FFE).
Isabelle Lamour’s candidacy was expected. David Douillet had also expressed his ambitions early on. He had even discussed it with Denis Masseglia before officially declaring his candidacy. The three-way race for the presidency of the CNOSF is thus far following a predictable scenario.
Nevertheless, it is unprecedented. Never before has a woman sought the supreme position. Isabelle Lamour, née Spennato, a former high-level fencer and participant in the Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992 Games, is making history.
On paper, the three rivals bring very different qualities. Denis Masseglia, the incumbent, holds the keys to the institution—a useful advantage. But he is the oldest of the trio, turning 70 in November. Just a few months shy of being ineligible, as the CNOSF statutes set the age limit for presidency at 70. The Marseilles native, former president of the French Rowing Federation, is aiming for a third term.
David Douillet, at 48, is the youngest in the race. An Olympic heavyweight champion in 1996 and 2000, the former judoka presents himself as the “savior of French sport.” Nothing less. A former Minister of Sports (September 2011 to May 2012) and a Republican deputy from Yvelines, he is the most politically marked of the trio. It’s uncertain whether this will be advantageous, especially during an election period. He is notably supported by Jean-Luc Rougé, the influential president of the French Judo Federation, who was himself a former candidate for the CNOSF presidency.
Isabelle Lamour, 51, sets herself apart from her two rivals by being the only female president of a French Olympic sports federation. This is both a strength and a weakness. She enjoys a good reputation in the sports movement. She is the wife of Jean-François Lamour, the former Minister of Sports (May 2002 to May 2007). She is reportedly supported by several prominent figures in French sports, all federation presidents, including Alain Bertholom (wrestling) and Jean-Jacques Mulot (rowing).
A crucial detail: three days after the election, the CNOSF president must lead the welcome parade for the IOC delegation visiting Paris. This evaluation commission for the 2024 Games will have visited Los Angeles, the sole rival of the French capital, between April 23 and 25.
By renewing their trust in Denis Masseglia, voters would opt for continuity, allowing the incumbent to continue the work started over two years ago. Alternatively, a new president would have to dive into the Olympic campaign without having had time to warm up.
In any case, the new president of the CNOSF will play a major role during the final months of the Paris 2024 campaign. Just like the future State Secretary or Minister of Sports, whose identity is also still unknown.
