SINGAPORE: Would-be IOC boss Ng Ser Miang said the Olympic body would benefit from having an Asian leader and pledged a new era for the organisation as the race for the presidency enters the home straight.
The Singaporean supermarket chief and diplomat said that the 119-year-old International Olympic Committee (IOC) needs a “different perspective” as it heads into an age where the world’s most populous region will play a far greater role.
The 64-year-old Ng is considered a strong contender among the six candidates vying to replace Belgium’s Jacques Rogge as IOC president in a vote in Buenos Aires on September 10.
The IOC, founded in 1894 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, has had seven European presidents and one American, with Rogge in charge since 2001.
“The IOC has become very global and I think for the IOC it’s also important to have a different perspective, in this case coming from a very important part of the world,” the Chinese-born Ng said in an interview.
He added: “I hope so!” when asked if it was time the IOC had an Asian leader.
“But I think it’s important not just symbolically but for the values they can bring to the table as well, when we talk about universality, different value systems, different cultures, different ways of looking at issues and challenges,” said Ng.
“Which also means that you have different solutions, coming from different angles and different perspectives. I believe that’s going to be very, very useful to the movement and very important to the movement in future.”
Ng is one of two candidates from Asia, along with Taiwan’s CK Wu, head of the International Boxing Federation. But he played down fears that the two were harming each other’s chances by competing for regional votes.
“I’m happy that we have very strong candidates,” said Ng, Singapore’s non-resident ambassador to Norway.
Ng said he was heartened by Russia’s promise not to discriminate against homosexuals at next year’s Winter Games, adding the event would be “wonderful”.
The Singaporean supermarket chief, has played down other problems including Sochi’s huge cost and a ban on protests during the event.
“Sochi has put in quite heavy investment because of the need for them to develop a lot of infrastructure,” Ng told said in an interview at his office in Singapore.
“This anti-gay law, we now have a written assurance from the highest authority that there will be no discrimination of any kind, respect to the provisions of the Olympic Charter as well as the fundamental principle against discrimination of any kind.
“So the rights of those who are attending the Games, from spectators, to officials, to media, especially the athletes, will be respected.
“I believe that Sochi will be a wonderful Games.”
The new Russian law banning “gay propaganda” has attracted widespread criticism and it was one of the main talking points at this month’s world athletics championships in Moscow.
Russian pole-vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva caused uproar when she appeared to criticise homosexuals, although she later said she had been misunderstood.
Ng, said the Olympics body stood firm against discrimination but also that he preferred a softly-softly approach.
“In some of these issues I believe in quiet diplomacy to deal with these issues,” he said. “It’s a common goal that we want to have a successful Games and the IOC is very clear and very strong -- the IOC is against discrimination of any kind.”
One estimate has put the cost of Sochi’s Games at $50bn, which would make it the most expensive Olympics in history.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has courted more controversy by banning protests and demonstrations and restricting access to the Black Sea resort during the Games early next year.
Ng also backed Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, host of the next Summer Olympics in 2016 as well as next year’s World Cup, to have the infrastructure in place to host a successful Games.
“Rio has put in a lot of resources. Definitely they have a lot of challenges because they’re hosting the World Cup before the Games themselves,” he said.
“But they are fully aware of the issues and they are fully aware of the challenges and they’re also aware of the very tight timeframe they are in.
“I’m sure they’ll put in all the necessary resources to make sure that we have a wonderful Games. The IOC is fully behind Rio and we will give our fullest support to them and do everything in our power to make sure they will organise a wonderful Games.”
Ng, considered a strong candidate behind front-runner Thomas Bach, will soon travel to Buenos Aires, where the IOC will elect its new leader on September 10. AFP
