(ATR) An extensive applicant field to become the Paris 2024 chief executive officer must be whittled down before chairman Tony Estanguet can choose his second-in-command.
A Paris 2024 spokesperson tells Around the Rings that executive search company Odgers Berndtson will narrow the field of 61 applicants to a short list by mid-December. The selected applicants will then be interviewed by a seven-member commission.
The commission includes Estanguet, IOC member Guy Drut, French Olympic and Paralympic Committee Presidents Denis Masseglia and Emmanuelle Assmann as well as representatives from the city, region and state which are still to be confirmed.
ATR is told Paris Deputy Mayor Jean Francois-Martins, French sports minister Laura Flessel and Ile-de-France Regional Council president Valérie Pécresse could round out the commission. French government official for the Olympics Jean Castex and Ile-de-France former sports minister Jean-Francois Lamour are other candidates to join the commission.
After the interview, Estanguet will be solely responsible for choosing the CEO and could present his choice to the general assembly for Paris’ Olympic project on Dec. 21.
Paris 2024 bid CEO Etienne Thobois is the expected front runner for the position following his close relationship with Estanguet during the bid. Former French Tennis Federation CEO Jeremy Botton is the only other candidate named thus far by Paris 2024.
The future CEO will be the second member of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee that Estanguet expects to be formed by mid-January.
Applications for CEO closed on Dec. 1 and no other positions are currently listed on the Paris 2024 recruitment website.
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Written by Kevin Nutley
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