SFC) As the International Olympic Committee (IOC) call for candidatures closed yesterday six men have stepped forward for the top job in elite sport: Thomas Bach, Sergey Bubka, Richard Carrión, Ser Miang Ng, Denis Oswald, and Ching-Kuo Wu. Last time there was a handful that threw their hats into the ring. This particular elective session proves also to be the most political in the history of the IOC as at the same meeting there will be decisions as to the 2020 summer Games host city (Istanbul, Madrid, Tokyo), the 2020 Games’ program (Baseball/Softball, Squash, Wrestling) and prior to that the 2018 summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) host city (Buenos Aires, Glasgow, Medellin). IOC head Dr. Jacques Rogge will step down from his second term in office after being re-elected for four more years in Copenhagen in 2009. Rogge’s first eight year term began after Juan Antonio Samaranch left office in July of 2001. IOC presidents are limited to one eight year term then a shorter re-elected term only allowing for 12 years in office. Two of the candidates serve as IOC Vice-Presidents Thomas Bach (GER) and Ser Miang Ng (SIN) and another two sit on the IOC executive board, Ching-Kuo Wu (TPE) and Sergey Bubka (UKR). Richard Carrion (PUR) is in charge of the finance commission and Denis Oswald (SUI) was the chair of the coordination commission overseeing London 2012 and Athens 2004. more
