FFTRI President Cédric Gosse has been suggested as a possible alternative to UCI President David Lappartient as the next head of the CNOSF ©Cédric Gosse/Twitter

French Triathlon Federation (FFTRI) President Cédric Gosse has insisted he has "not applied" to succeed Brigitte Henriques as head of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), after her shock resignation just over one year before the Paris 2024 Olympics.

International Cycling Union (UCI) President and International Olympic Committee member David Lappartient has emerged as the frontrunner for the role, but some within French sport are reported to be concerned over his ability to combine existing responsibilities with leading the CNOSF.

Gosse has been linked as a possible alternative candidate, but told French newspaper L'Équipe he has "not applied".

He acknowledged "some of [his] colleagues have mentioned this possibility", but insisted "the debate must take place in the Board of Directors".

Gosse was elected as FFTRI President in January 2021, after a stint of nearly 12 years as vice-president.

A CNOSF election has been set for June 29, after Henriques resigned at the General Assembly last month following more than one year of bitter infighting.

Brigitte Henriques announced her shock resignation as CNOSF President last month just over a year before Paris 2024 ©Getty Images
Brigitte Henriques announced her shock resignation as CNOSF President last month just over a year before Paris 2024 ©Getty Images

Henriques was elected in June 2021 to succeed Denis Masseglia with a view to leading the CNOSF through Paris 2024, but had faced calls from her predecessor for her to resign and been involved in a bitter feud with former secretary general Didier Séminet, who was fired in October last year.

Lappartient has confirmed his interest in becoming CNOSF President, and has already met vice-presidents Jean-Pierre Siutat and Sébastien Poirier, secretary general Astrid Guyart and treasurer Michel Callot.

French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra has urged a swift resolution to ensure preparations for Paris 2024 remain on track.

France is due to host the Summer Olympics for the first time in 100 years from July 26 to August 11 next year.

In addition to the crisis at the CNOSF, scandals have also hit French sports including football, rugby, handball and gymnastics in the build-up to the Games.