Global sports giant Decathlon has announced a leadership change as it enters a new phase of growth. The company’s Board of Directors has appointed Javier López as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
López will succeed Barbara Martin Coppola, who led the company since March 2022.
A New Chapter for Decathlon
Under Barbara Martin Coppola’s leadership, Decathlon made significant progress, including a 13% reduction in CO₂ emissions since 2021, an increased focus on sustainability, and a refreshed brand identity. The company also expanded its e-commerce operations, which now contribute 20% of its total revenue. Additionally, Decathlon played a key role in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, designing the official outfits for 45,000 volunteers.
Julien Leclercq, Chairman of Decathlon, praised Barbara’s contributions and expressed confidence in Javier’s leadership. He said, “I would like to thank Barbara for the impactful work she has carried out over the past 3 years. Today, DECATHLON is a sports brand that is increasingly recognised around the world for its products, its commitments and its positive impact. As DECATHLON embarks on a new phase in its history, I have every confidence in Javier and his natural ability to bring people together to drive our ambition, and identify new levers for sustainable growth while further strengthening our unique human and inclusive culture.”
“Over the past three years, we have initiated a major evolution of DECATHLON, moving from ambition to action. I’d like to thank all our teammates, whose dedication made all of this work possible: we’ve repositioned the DECATHLON brand by redefining the customer experience in-store and in e-commerce, which now accounts for 20% of our revenue. We have rethought our brand portfolio, signed partnerships with global reach and created new circular economy models. I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made. I have every confidence in Javier to lead an ever more ambitious company, in the image of DECATHLON,” explains Barbara Martin Coppola.
About Javier López
Javier López has been with Decathlon for 26 years, holding key roles in digital, logistics, and retail. He previously led Decathlon Germany (2012-2015) and Decathlon Spain (2015-2022), driving strong growth in the Spanish market. Since 2022, he has been the company’s Global Chief Value Chain Officer.
Excited about his new role, Javier said, “I am particularly honoured by the confidence of Julien and the Board of Directors as I take up my new position, and I thank Barbara, with whom I have enjoyed working in the Executive Committee for the past 3 years. As a Decathlonian for 26 years, I’m proud of the work we’ve done over the years to bring the benefits of sport to more and more people around the world. Together, with all our teammates, we will, with determination, enthusiasm and humility, accelerate our economic development and our efforts to serve our human and environmental commitments.”
Founded in 1976, Decathlon is a leading sports brand with 1,750 stores and 101,000 employees worldwide. The company focuses on innovation and sustainability, aiming to promote a healthier and happier future through sports.
