Olympic Games: Samaranch to stand for re-election

Thursday 06 March 1997 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Juan Antonio Samaranch confirmed yesterday that he will stand again for re-election as president of the International Olympic Committee.

Samaranch, who turns 77 in July, will bid for a fourth term in one of the key positions in sport. If he wins, the Spaniard, who has a reputation as a diplomat as well as a shrewd businessman, has the chance to complete 21 years in office after taking over the job in 1980.

However, Samaranch, who has a chance to continue only because his Latin allies in the organisation managed to force a vote to raise the IOC age limit in 1995, said he would be in charge for the last time at an Olympic Games in Sydney in the year 2000.

"It was not a difficult decision. I like what I do. It is not a sacrifice to be president of the IOC," Samaranch said after the IOC announced that its four vice-presidents were putting his name forward to the vote in September.

If he completes his fourth term in office, Samaranch will be 81 by the time the next election takes place in 2001.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in