Lassana Palenfo

Lassana Palenfo

Lassana Palenfo (born January 25, 1941 ) is an Ivorian general and sports functionary.

General

Lassana Palenfo, born in 1941, left his home country to study in Paris . He attended various universities in the French capital. He also took courses at the military schools of Coëtquidan and Saint-Maixent. After completing his studies, Palenfo began a military career.

Career in the military and in politics

Lassana Palenfo began his military career in the Ivorian Ministry of Defense. From 1964 to 1967 he was Deputy Director of the Department of Military Legislation. From 1969 to 1971 he was Deputy Director of Administration and from 1971 to 1977 Administrative Director. He then began his work as director of financial affairs and ministry programs, which he carried out until 1982. In 1982 and 1983 he was an army inspector.

From 1983 to 1991 he was director of social housing and house construction. He then became Minister of Security. He held the post until 1993. Since 2000 he has been Minister of State for Security Affairs.

Career as a sports official

Lassana Palenfo is a sports enthusiast. As an active athlete, he played soccer, swimming and judo . In Judo he has the black belt (Yondan: 4th Dan). He has been a member of the Ivorian Judo Association since 1966 and was President of the Association from 1972 to 1991. From 1982 to 1990 he was treasurer of the African Judo Association and has been the association's president since 1990. At the same time he became Vice President of the International Judo Federation .

For the NOC of the Ivory Coast he was Vice President from 1990 to 1999 and became President in 1999. He has also been President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa since 2005 .

Activities within the IOC

In 2000 Lassana Palenfo was elected an IOC member. In 2012 he became an honorary member. He has been involved in several IOC commissions, since 2002 for the Women's Sports Commission, since 2006 for the Olympic Solidarity Commission and since 2008 for the International Relations Commission. In 2012 he was awarded the Olympic silver medal .