Lou Dapeng (© Getty Images)
World Athletics is deeply saddened to learn that Lou Dapeng, Vice President of World Athletics from 1999-2007, has died.
Lou was an influential figure in international athletics administration from the 1980s through to the 2000s and beyond. He served as a World Athletics (then IAAF) Council Member from 1984 and as Vice President from 1999. He also chaired the Competition Commission and contributed to the work of the International Athletics Foundation.
His passion for athletics began in his youth while living in the UK in the late 1940s, where he attended the London 1948 Olympic Games and was inspired by the global celebration of sport. He returned to China in 1953 and went on to compete at the national level, laying the foundations for his lifelong involvement in athletics.
Beyond his roles for World Athletics, Lou worked across senior leadership positions within China’s sports governance, helping to raise technical standards, develop elite programmes and strengthen China’s presence in global sport. He served as Sports Director of the Beijing Bid Committee and later the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, contributing to the successful delivery of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Widely respected for his professionalism, diplomacy and global outlook, Lou’s efforts helped integrate Chinese athletics more fully into international structures, competitions and governance.
In recognition of his lifetime contribution to the sport, he received the World Athletics Silver Order of Merit in 2003 and was later appointed an Honorary Life Vice President.
"He was an immensely thoughtful and insightful administrator, no better evidenced than in his stirling work in international athletics," said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. "He will be missed by many who admired his leadership and kindnesses."
“Lou Dapeng devoted his entire life to the sports cause,” said Sun Yuanfu, President of the Chinese Athletics Association. “He was an outstanding and influential leader on the international sports stage, and a vital bridge connecting China’s athletics with the world. With his profound professional expertise, broad international vision and modest personal demeanour, he earned extensive respect and praise from the global athletics community, and his spirit will forever inspire all athletics practitioners worldwide to forge ahead with perseverance.”
World Athletics