Vizer Resigns As Sportaccord President
SportAccord president Marius Vizer resigned from his position on Saturday following a dispute with the Independent Olympic Committee (IOC) over control of international sports federations.
After openly criticising the IOC and its president, Thomas Bach, at the SportAccord general assembly in April, Vizer had come under increasing amounts of pressure.
Vizer’s criticisms included challenging the IOC on its understanding of global sports, accusing the governing body of being dated and blocking the creation of new events.
His comments triggered a number of departures from SportAccord which represents over 100 international sports federations.
Vizer, who took over SportAccord in 2013, issued a strongly-worded resignation statement that defended his position: “Everything I proposed is right and I hope to have opened a door that had been closed for a century, and I hope it remains open forever for the benefit of sport and its values.”
Vizer’s statement continued: “I did try to collaborate with the IOC in the two years of my mandate, submitting them numerous proposals for collaboration between the two organisations, but these were always rejected without any plausible explanation.”
“My door has always been open for collaboration, theirs was always closed.”
“We have been informed of the resignation,” the IOC said Sunday 31st May. “We will continue our on-going work and consultation with the international federations and other members of the Olympic Movement. The topic will be discussed at the IOC executive board next week.”
