New I.O.C President

By Michael O’Neill – September 11, 2013

(SEPT 11) WBAN joins sports fans throughout the World in congratulating newly elected International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach on his election yesterda and sincerely hopes he will do everything within his power to ensure that not only female boxers but all ‘women in sport’ will quickly benefit from his eight year stint as President of arguably the world’s most prestigious sporting organisation. 

 For WBAN, as for all followers of women’s boxing, our immediate hope is that President Bach will soon get together with AIBA President Dr C.K. Wu, and ensure that women boxers have the same number of weights as males in all future Olympics.

The German was elected today as the ninth President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following two rounds of votes at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Bach was chosen over fellow presidential candidates Sergey Bubka (Ukraine), Richard Carrion (Puerto Rico), Ser Miang Ng (Singapore), Denis Oswald (Switzerland) and AIBA President Ching-kuo Wu (Chinese Taipei).

An Olympic Gold medallist himself, in fencing (foil) as part of German team at the Games of the XXI Olympiad in Montreal in 1976; he was also in 1976 and 1977 world champion fencing foil team champion; winner of the 1978 European Cup of Champions as well as holder of numerous national championship titles.

“Thank you very much to all of you,” said President Bach following his election. First of all I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all my dear friends and colleagues who voted for me this morning. This is really an overwhelming sign of trust and confidence. But I would also like to thank my fellow candidates, who I greatly respect, and all those who did not vote for me this time. I will also work for and with you in the coming years and want to win your confidence too. I know about the great responsibility of an IOC President. This makes me humble. I want to lead the IOC according to my motto “unity in diversity.” I want to be a President for all of you. This means I will do my very best to balance well all the different interests of the stakeholders of the Olympic Movement. This is why I want to listen to you and to enter into an on-going dialogue with all of you. You should know that my door, my ears, and my heart are always open for you.”

The President is elected by the IOC members by secret ballot for a term of eight years, with the possibility to stand for re-election for a second, four-year term.

Voting Results:-

Round 1:

Thomas Bach: 43
Sergey Bubka: 8
Richard Carrion: 23
Ser Miang Ng: 6
Denis Oswald: 7
Ching-kuo Wu: 6

Round 1 tie-break:

Ser Miang Ng: 56
Ching-kuo Wu: 36

Round 2:

Thomas Bach: 49
Sergey Bubka: 4
Richard Carrion: 29
Ser Miang Ng: 6
Denis Oswald: 5

In his Olympic manifesto, Mr. Bach chose as his motto: “Unity in Diversity” – this motto reflects my thinking about our Olympic Movement”.

“Unity in Diversity”, he went on, means first of all respect for different cultures, gender, social backgrounds, perceptions, attitudes and opinions. There is not just one single true concept for the future of the IOC. The secret of the Olympic magic is diversity and universality in all aspects. This universality and diversity we have to preserve and even enhance in all our activities whether with regard to our structure, the Olympic Games, our educational, cultural and social projects.

To achieve “Unity in Diversity” it needs transparency, dialogue and solidarity”

“Solidarity is essential to achieve results of such dialogue, respected by all stakeholders. We urgently need solidarity in order to achieve true universality, to give a fair chance to each and every Member of our Olympic Family, regardless of gender, and to keep us free of discrimination of any kind. We need solidarity among IFs and NOCs, which can be facilitated by well reflecting the fact that they have the same members: the national federations.

We need solidarity among sports, among countries and nations as well as among athletes.

By showing solidarity in a transparent and open dialogue we will achieve unity and loyalty”.

President Bach is a 59 years old from WÜRZBURG in Germany and was Chairman of the Board of trustees of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 Organising Committee; as well as being founding President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB)