Olympics: Running for IOC president worth challenge: gymnastics chief
Source: The Mainichi
TOKYO (Kyodo) — International Gymnastics Federation chief Morinari Watanabe on Monday talked about his experience of running as the first-ever Japanese candidate for the International Olympic Committee’s presidency, which was won by Kirsty Coventry.
“Running for the role opened my eyes to many new worlds,” the FIG president told a press conference in Tokyo after returning from Thursday’s election in Greece. “It’s very meaningful for a Japanese person to take on the challenge. One day, I hope to see the IOC president from Japan.”
Zimbabwe’s Coventry was elected the first female and African president of the IOC after winning 49 of the 97 votes during the first round of secret ballot.
Despite expecting at least 15 votes until the day before the election, Watanabe received just four, tying him for fourth in the seven-candidate race.
The 66-year-old also released a detailed report on the election.
Watanabe concluded that support from female and athlete IOC members, along with the trust of outgoing President Thomas Bach, were behind Coventry’s victory, saying more than 80 percent of the women may have voted for her.
“I was stunned by the unity and campaigning of the female members after we arrived there, under the banner of having the ‘first female chairperson.’ They formed several teams and made a concerted effort to earn votes from women,” the report said.
Watanabe ruled out seeking important positions within the IOC, such as vice president or board member, saying, “I’ve reached the age where I need to create an environment in which the next generation can thrive.”
The original article: belongs to The Mainichi .
