Lamine Diack

Lamine Diack studied economics and law at College Van Vollenhoven in Dakar and the National School of Taxes in Paris. He was a top athlete in the long jump, winning the 1958 French Championships in long jump, and he held the West African record from 1957-60. In 1959 he jumped 7.72, his personal best (although wind-aided), to win the French University Championships, but injured his knee shortly thereafter, dashing his hopes of competing at the 1960 Olympics.

Instead Diack went to work for the Senegalese government, often in sports-related fields, although he was eventually mayor of Dakar from 1978-80, was a deputy of the National Assembly of Senegal (1978-93), and eventually serving as first Vice-President from 1988-93. He was also Commissioner General of Sport from 1969-70, and Secretary of State for Youth and Sport from 1970-73. His other government posts included Secretary of State for Human Promotion in 1973-74, National Conservator of Land Ownership of Senegal from 1974-78, and Chairman of the Administration Board of the National Water Company of Senegal from 1995-2001.

In sports administration, Diack initially went into coaching, leading the top Senegalese football club Foyer France Senegal, later known as ASC Diaraf. He became President of that club in the 1970s and again in 1994. From 1964-68 he directed Senegal’s national football team, helping them reach the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 1965 and 1968. Diack was a member of the Executive Committee of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA) from 1973-87. He became vice-president of the IAAF in 1979, serving in that role until 1999, when he became President of the IAAF, a position he held until 2015. He also served as President of the Senegalese Olympic Committee from 1985-2002 and as President of the African Athletics Confederation from 1973-2003.

Diack became an IOC Member in 2000 as President of the IAAF. He served until 2013 after which he became an Honorary Member. During his tenure on the IOC, Diack was a member of several commissions, including Olympic Games Study, International Relations, and the 2009 Congress Commission. His Honorary Membership was later suspended based on accusations against him concerning financial improprieties during his time as President of IAAF.

Personal Best: LJ – 7.63 (1958), 7.72w (1959).