IOC presidential candidate Watanabe seeks to make Olympics “loved&
Source: – Kyodo News+
Japan’s Morinari Watanabe said Tuesday he wants to make the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Games “loved by people” as he bids to become the organization’s next president.
The 65-year-old, one of seven candidates seeking to succeed Thomas Bach, would be the first Asian IOC president if elected at its 143rd session in March in Greece.
International Gymnastics Federation President Morinari Watanabe speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 24, 2024. (Kyodo)
Currently in his second term as the first Asian president of the International Gymnastics Federation, Watanabe has been an IOC member since 2018.
“I’ve traveled more than 160 countries over the past eight years, discussing with their sports personnel how the Olympics should be and how sports can contribute to the society,” Watanabe told a press conference.
“I won’t change that stance should I become the president, and would not be top-down but bottom-up…We need to listen to the opinion of the public and create Olympics that satisfy the people in the places hosting them.”
IOC Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. of Spain and World Athletics President Sebastian Coe of Britain are among the candidates confirmed on the ballot.
The list also includes IOC board members Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan and Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe as well as International Cycling Union President David Lappartient of France and International Ski Federation President Johan Eliasch of Britain.
Watanabe is set to hand in his manifesto by the end of December and present it to the whole of IOC by the end of January.
“I might just get a few votes, or turn out to be the lucky one,” he said.
Related coverage:
Japan’s Watanabe among 7 candidates running to be next IOC president
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