(ATR) Former England captain Bill Beaumont has a big job to ensure the success of rugby sevens at Rio 2016 after being unanimously elected head of World Rugby.
The Rugby Football Union chairman and Agustín Pichot of Argentina were unopposed for the positions of chair and vice-chairman at World Rugby Council elections in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday. The pair succeed Bernard Lapasset and Oregan Hoskins, who previously announced they would not seek re-election.
Their terms begin on July 1.
With rugby sevens making its debut at the Olympics in August, Beaumont is charged with dealing with final preparations for the competition and overseeing its smooth operation in cooperation with Rio 2016 officials.
"The Olympics is a major opportunity for rugby to project itself to new audiences worldwide and we need to ensure that we deliver exceptional events in Rio and Tokyo and maximise this wonderful opportunity that Bernard has delivered," he told a press conference today in Dublin.
Beaumont, the Six Nations Rugby chairman, played a role in rugby’s bid for Olympic inclusion. He has been involved with World Rugby's decision-making bodies for more than a decade, served as vice-chairman from 2007 to 2012, and has been a key figure on the World Rugby Council, executive committee, Rugby World Cup Board and Rugby Committee bodies.
As RFU chairman, Beaumont aided the delivery of England’s widely hosting of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The 64-year-old made his debut for England in 1975, going on to win 34 caps and leading England to their first Grand Slam for 33 years in 1980.
Beaumont, who also played for the British and Irish Lions, said he was taking the reins at "an exciting and pivotal time for the sport".
"Rugby has experienced significant and rapid growth, which is a credit to Bernard Lapasset and his leadership over the past eight years," he said of the Frenchman who decided not to seek re-election in favor or leading the Paris 2024 Olympic bid.
"The sport is in excellent health and over the next four years there will be many great opportunities to further develop and grow the game. However, we cannot be complacent," Beaumont added.
"Rugby, like all sports, faces challenges and my manifesto outlines the five priorities focused on addressing these. These priorities are continuing to protect players, preserving integrity, enhancing global competition, optimising partnerships and empowering and strengthening unions."
He promised to "nurture the roots of rugby, our fundamental values and financial security" and to "make rugby decisions for rugby reasons".
The election of 41-year-old Pichot is the first time an Argentinian has served as vice-chairman.
The president of Rugby Americas, a former captain of Argentina's 15s and sevens teams, Pichot has been a driving force behind the rugby development of Argentina and South America on and off the field. He was also an important and very visible figure in rugby’s Olympic bid campaign.
World Rugby Council also today ushered in the implementation of expanded union representation on the ruling body and the appointment of two independent directors to the federation's executive committee.
Outgoing chairman Lapasset said he was leaving the post with rugby in "great shape" around the world, citing record participation in rugby, gaining Olympic inclusion and record-breaking Rugby World Cups among his achievements.
"I leave with a dynamic new governance model implemented," he said, adding that Beaumont had a "clear vision and strong passion for the global development of rugby" to drive the game forward.
"The future is very bright for our sport with the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and a ground-breaking Rugby World Cup in Japan all major milestones before the end of this decade," he added.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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