Former Olympic gold medalist elected president of IOC

A former Olympic gold medalist from Germany, Thomas Bach, was elected president of the International Olympic Committee on Tuesday, September 10, marking the first time the position is held by an Olympic champ. But Bach was quick to dismiss suggestions he owed his election victory to Kuwaiti IOC member Sheikh Ahmed al-Sabah. The 59-year-old German — who trounced his five rivals to win in the second round with 49 votes — had been accused by Swiss rival Denis Oswald on Monday, September 9, who spoke of his close business ties with Kuwait. Bach, though, said during his campaign he had taken particular care not to make promises to any of the IOC members so he didn’t start his eight-year spell owing anyone anything. “At my presentation to the IOC members in July in Lausanne I was the candidate who made it very clear to them that I do not make any promises with regard to issues or personal requests,” said Bach in reply to a question regarding his ties with the Sheikh.


Read the full story on Rappler.