From left to right, Christian Wacker, President of ISOH, and Professor Jean-Loup Chappelet, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The International Society of Olympic Historians (ISOH) has honoured Professor Jean-Loup Chappelet, former Secretary General of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee (IPCC), with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Olympic scholarship and his lifelong dedication to the Olympic Movement.

“This is the crowning of my Olympic journey,” said Professor Chappelet upon receiving the distinction.

The award was formally presented by ISOH President Christian Wacker during the Society’s General Assembly, held at the Olympic Studies Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“It is a richly deserved recognition of an academic career and decades of scholarship, a lifetime devoted to understanding the structure and development of the Olympic Movement,” stated Christian Wacker.

The award citation further emphasised Professor Chappelet’s exceptional contribution:

“Jean-Loup Chappelet embodies the spirit of ISOH: his career connects academic research with the Olympic Movement, historical reflection with contemporary governance, and scholarly independence with a deep commitment to international sport.”

A distinguished scholar and internationally recognised authority on Olympic governance, Professor Chappelet has devoted decades to advancing knowledge and understanding of the Olympic Movement, its institutions, history and development.

As a professor at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), he has educated generations of students and future sports leaders, combining academic excellence with extensive knowledge of international sports organisations. Now Professor Emeritus at UNIL, he has authored more than 250 scientific publications, making a substantial contribution to Olympic studies and sports governance.

Professor Chappelet has also maintained a longstanding relationship with the International Olympic Academy (IOA), where he regularly lectures on the Olympic system and the governance of the Olympic Movement, sharing his knowledge and experience with participants from around the world.

The ISOH Lifetime Achievement Award honours “individuals who have dedicated their life’s work to researching, communicating and/or disseminating Olympic history.”

First presented in 2005 to IOC Vice-President and ISOH member Richard Pound, the distinction has subsequently recognised several prominent figures in Olympic scholarship, including Conrado Durántez in 2013, Jean Durry in 2017 and Norbert Müller in 2019.

The International Pierre de Coubertin Committee warmly congratulates its former Secretary General, Professor Jean-Loup Chappelet, on this prestigious distinction. His remarkable academic achievements, commitment to Olympic education and enduring contribution to the understanding of the Olympic Movement represent an inspiring legacy for present and future generations.

 Jean-Loup Chappelet