The Frenchman's main concept is launching a "Festival of Sport", aimed at giving the smaller international federations who make up the majority of SportAccord's 91 members the chance to showcase themselves and perhaps provide an opportunity to enhance their chances of being included in the Olympics one day.

How the concept will work in practice and be funded is unclear, but Lapasset believes that the example of his own sport of how being innovative can help it evolve and prosper.

"Sevens has really allowed rugby to grow," said Lapasset during a briefing in the shadow of the House of Commons in the British capital.

"Particularly women, it's fantastic how many of them play sevens."

Unlike his only rival for the SportAccord role, the Hungarian-based Marius Vizer, whose main manifesto pledge is a united World Championship held over a period of three to four weeks in the same country every four years, Lapasset's plan is to hold a series of events in which similar sports would be grouped together and highlighted.

"My goal is not to create more events, but create different events," he said.

"This idea can be a tool for the Olympics, providing a pathway for some sports.

"There are lots of cities and countries who need events who would be interested in a concept like this. 

"We want to work with the Olympics, not against the Olympics."


Lapasset's other idea is a "SportAccord Academy" where sports can share information and ideas, although again the details of how this will actually work are vague.

"I'm passionate about sport and I care about SportAccord," he said.

"It is time to work together with the same vision. 

"We need to inspire a new generation around sports.

"SportAccord is a fantastic tool to do that job."

Lapasset remains the outsider to replace Hein Verbruggen at SportAccord, the umbrella organisation for all Olympic and non-Olympic international sports federations as well as organisers of multi-sports games and sport-related international associations.

But he is optimistic that he can persuade international federations of his vision between now and the election in St Petersburg on May 31.

"I have to link up with lots of federations," he admitted.

"My role is to explain my passion for sport, it's the the passion of my life."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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