The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced on Wednesday that Kit McConnell is stepping down from his position as the president of the Rugby World Cup after 10 years. McConnell will be taking on a new role as the sporting director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
During McConnell’s tenure, three Rugby World Cups were held in Australia, France, and New Zealand. He is leaving his post two years before the 2015 tournament, scheduled to take place in England. One of McConnell’s notable achievements was overseeing the inclusion of rugby sevens in the Olympic program, with the sport becoming a medal event at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016.
The IRB stated that McConnell will assume his position at the IOC early in 2014, succeeding Switzerland’s Christophe Dubi, who has taken on the role of executive director of the Olympics.
