World Events

Stars

China

Basketball

Soccer

Tennis

N.America

Olympics

Rogge to seek second term as IOC president

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-25 14:53

LONDON - Jacques Rogge is on course to remain as president of the International Olympic Committee until 2013.

President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge smiles during a news conference in Beijing in this August 24, 2008 file photo. Rogge confirmed he's running for another term as president of the International Olympic Committee, a decision that had been widely expected. [Agencies]

The 66-year-old Belgian sent a letter to IOC members on Friday confirming that he will stand for re-election in 2009, a decision that had been widely anticipated.

No other candidates are expected, meaning Rogge is virtually assured of being re-elected next October at the IOC general assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Rogge was elected as the IOC's eighth president in July 2001 in Moscow, succeeding Juan Antonio Samaranch, a Spaniard who served for 21 years. Rogge's eight-year term expires in 2009, and he is eligible for a second term of four years.

"When I was elected in 2001, I found the IOC in excellent condition thanks to the work of President Samaranch, and I have striven to consolidate it and make it flourish and develop," Rogge said in the two-page letter.

"It is now stronger and more united than ever, for the greater good of sports development and the Olympic ideals."

Rogge, a former orthopedic surgeon who competed in three Olympics in sailing, had said he would make his decision after the Beijing Olympics and before the end of October. With the Beijing Games considered a tremendous organizational success, Rogge's future was never in doubt.

"I always thought that Beijing was his legacy," British IOC member Craig Reedie said, in a comment echoed by several other members. "After the huge success in China, he richly deserves the opportunity to have a second term."

As president, Rogge has overseen four Olympics - the Winter Games in 2002 (Salt Lake City) and 2006 (Turin), and the Summer Olympics in 2004 (Athens) and Beijing.

A second term would take him through the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

During his first term, Rogge has pursued a hard line on doping, created the Youth Olympic Games and pushed through changes in the sports program, including the dropping of softball and baseball.

"The IOC owes it to itself to build its future with vision and ambition," Rogge said in the letter. "Beside the success of the games in Vancouver and London, as well as the Youth Olympic Games, I aspire, with all of you, to integrate a more modern IOC into tomorrow's society."

Future presidential hopefuls are content to let Rogge serve another term before running in a contested election in 2013. Leading contenders include IOC vice president Thomas Bach of Germany, executive board member Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico and Sergei Bubka of Ukraine.

"I congratulate him on this decision," Bach said. "He has my support and the full support of his colleagues."

In his letter, Rogge hailed the "remarkable organization and legacy" of the Salt Lake City, Athens, Turin and Beijing Games.

Rogge also said the Olympics were in "excellent financial health," despite the current global economic downturn.

"The games revenues distributed to our international federations and national Olympic committee partners have increased significantly," he said. "The IOC's own reserves have tripled, enabling it to function on a long-term basis."