Photo credit: abcnews.go.com
COSTA NAVARINO, Greece — As speculation intensifies about his potential candidacy for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Juan Antonio Samaranch, the current IOC Vice President, downplayed his frontrunner status just ahead of the voting process on Thursday.
“I appreciate the media’s ability to predict outcomes,” Samaranch remarked to reporters on Wednesday, adding that he felt uncertain about the result.
The upcoming election is described as the most competitive in modern IOC history, with three frontrunners emerging from the initial seven candidates: Samaranch, along with two-time Olympic gold medalists Sebastian Coe and Kirsty Coventry.
If elected, Coventry, Zimbabwe’s sports minister at 41, would make history as the first female and first African to lead the IOC in its 131-year existence.
“I am biased, so I’ll say yes,” she remarked when questioned about the necessity for a female president. “Let’s create some change and make it happen.”
All candidates and voters are members of an exclusive group totaling 109 IOC members. The membership includes various dignitaries and notable figures such as the Emir of Qatar, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Olympic athletes.
Election analysts theorize that Coventry, seen as the preferred candidate of outgoing president Thomas Bach, may initially gather significant support but may lack an outright majority required for victory. It is suggested that as candidates are eliminated in subsequent rounds, Samaranch may benefit from their votes.
Other contenders include Prince Feisal al Hussein of Jordan, Johan Eliasch, David Lappartient, and Morinari Watanabe.
The newly elected president will officially assume office on June 23, designated as Olympic Day, coinciding with Bach’s 12-year tenure conclusion.
The voting dynamics among IOC members are complex, as the intentions of individual voters often remain unclear. “There’s a lot of speculation on what’s really happening,” Prince Feisal stated, expressing confidence in his chances.
Coventry sidestepped the question of Bach’s support but emphasized the importance of an ethical campaign. She urged voters to reflect deeply on how they wish the movement to be represented when choosing a candidate.
Samaranch highlighted the significance of the confidentiality of votes and encouraged voters to act without succumbing to external pressures or political identities.
Coe, with an extensive background as an athlete, former UK lawmaker, and London Olympics organizer, offered light-hearted comments during a media session. “I’m in good shape but it’s only lunchtime,” said Coe, who currently leads World Athletics.
The IOC’s five-month-long campaign has been marked by restrictions, as candidates will not be allowed to deliver formal presentations before the voting takes place on Thursday at 4 p.m. local time in Greece (1400 GMT).
The sole campaign event occurred earlier in January at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, where candidates gave brief speeches without the opportunity for questions.
Lappartient, the French president of the International Cycling Union, mentioned his disappointment at the lack of direct engagement opportunities, stating, “It would have been great to have that option to truly ascertain a candidate’s capabilities.”
The election winner will become the 10th president in IOC history. Notably, the seventh president was Samaranch’s father, who held the position for 21 years until 2001.
When asked whether his familial background provides an advantage, Samaranch responded, “Not at this moment. I need to focus on the future.”
He also outlined the forthcoming challenges for the new president, highlighting the importance of successful Olympic Games in 2026 in Italy and 2028 in Los Angeles.
“There is one key objective,” Samaranch stated. “We must concentrate on delivering successful and relevant Olympic Games; everything else will follow suit.”
___
For more information on the Olympics, visit AP Olympics.
Source
abcnews.go.com