Jacques Hélaine, former international and president of the French Federation (FFTT), died on Wednesday, the FFTT said on Thursday. He was 81 years old.
An emblematic figure of the Amiens club, which he chaired after having won three French team championship titles there (1967, 1968, 1969), Hélaine had worn the jersey of the French team in the 1960s, in the side in particular of Jacques Secrétin. Twice vice-champion of France in singles, preceded by Vincent Purkart in 1964 and Secrétin in 1971, he had won the title four times in doubles, with Purkart (1964, 1965 and 1969), and Jacques Gambier (1966).
Having become a coach and manager, he took over as head of the French Federation in April 2011, following the resignation of Alain Dubois, until December of the same year and the election of Christian Palierne.
The Team sends its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
