(ATR) Paris 2024 chairman Tony Estanguet chooses to keep the status quo in his selection of Etienne Thobois as chief executive officer for the Olympic Organizing Committee.
Thobois, 50, also served as CEO for the Paris 2024 bid since April 2015. Estanguet confirmed Thobois’ status as the frontrunner in the month-long recruitment process with his confirmation on Wednesday.
The new CEO had to fend off challenges from 60 other applicants, four of whom were shortlisted by executive search company Odgers Berndtson which also assisted London 2012 organizers with recruitment.
Estanguet chose to maintain Thobois as CEO following discussion with a selection committee that included IOC member Guy Drut, French Olympic and Paralympic Committee Presidents Denis Masseglia and Emmanuelle Assmann, as well as government representatives from the city, region and country.
"We are delighted with the appointment of Etienne Thobois to the role of CEO," Estanguet said in a statement. "Etienne stood out amongst a field of very high-caliber applicants. His leadership and experience was crucial to our victory in Lima and will prove invaluable over the next seven years as we work together to build our exciting project for the 2024 Games."
Prior to the Paris bid, Thobois also served as finance director of the 2003 IAAF World Championships, CEO of the 2007 Rugby World Cup and technical expert for Tokyo 2020.
Thobois’ appointment begins the transformation of Paris 2024 from a transitional to operational OCOG. The official launch of the Organizing Committee is expected by mid-January. A Compensation Committee will be formed to determine the pay given to Estanguet and Thobois.
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Written by Kevin Nutley
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