France Update: No More Boycott Talk, Lamour Leaving, Serandour Status

Nicolas Sarkozy wins the French election. Sarkozy Win Will Cut Olympics Boycott Talk

Talk about France leading a boycott of the Beijing Olympics is likely over with victory of Nicolas Sarkozy over Segolene Royal for president of France.

In her campaign, Royal had floated the idea of a boycott as a way to pressure China to use its influence with the government of Sudan to end the violence in the Darfur region of the country.

Sarkozy opposed an Olympic boycott.

Sarkozy has ruled out a boycott of the Games over China's position on Sudan.

"The Olympic Games are a space of freedom. It will contribute to opening up China, and naturally, it's pacification," he said in April.

Lamour Departs as Sports Minister

With the elections coming in June for Parliament, Minister for Sport Jean Francois Lamour will be stepping down from his post after five years in office.

In an interview with on-lineSports Minister Jean Francois Lamour is in the final weeks of office. (ATR)publication Myfreesport, Lamour says he leaves with a feeling of accomplishment, listing the Athens Olympics as the highlight of his time as minister.

Speaking about the defeat of Paris two years ago for the 2012 Olympics, Lamour says a diminishing role of French leaders in world sport is partly to blame for the loss.

Lamour says he believes he has good chance to succeed Richard Pound as president of the World Anti-Doping Agency when he leaves in November. Lamour is currently a WADA vice president.

Serandour Status Unchanged

Henri Serandour, the ailing president of CNOSF, the French national Olympic committee, is unaffected by the changes coming to the French government, as his term ends in 2009.

While there has been no talk about whether Serandour would resign over health issues, it is believed that his illness was considered by the IOC Ethics Commission last year when he was found guilty of using his influence to secure a job for his wife at a communications firm employed by the CNOSF.

Despite his conviction, the IOC Ethics Commission has not taken any action against him, as was done with fellow French IOC member Guy Drut. Serandour, who just turned 70, will also leave the IOC after the Guatemala Session in July.