IOC Criticism by Vizer Triggers Mutiny in Sochi -- On the Scene

(ATR) An antagonistic speech from the SportAccord president has the organization on the verge of insurrection.

Around the Rings has received a copy of a letter signed by 14 international federations denouncing the speech delivered by SportAccord president Marius Vizer on Monday morning.

"We the undersigned members of the SportAccord Association are expressing to the SportAccord leadership our disagreement on the opinions expressed this morning by the SportAccord president during the opening speech which do not reflect the views of the international federations," the letter, dated April 20, reads.

"We also express our strong support to the International Olympic Committee and to the Olympic Agenda 2020 which has been adopted under the leadership of the IOC president Thomas Bach in consultation and agreement with all the international federations."

Below the text appear 14 signatures from leaders of FIFA, IAAF, FINA and FIBA, as well as the international federations for rowing, hockey, equestrian, archery, triathlon, modern pentathlon, shooting sport, badminton and canoe.

In his opening remarks at the SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit, Vizer directly and harshly criticized the IOC and its treatment of international federations through the Olympic Agenda 2020.

The IAAF went so far as to withdraw its SportAccord membership entirely, an announcement president Lamine Diack made publicly during the general assembly.

"The reason is that we are unable to agree with the contents and tone contained in the speech of the SportAccord president Mr. Vizer at the opening this morning," read a statement from IAAF spokesperson Nick Davies.

"So this resignation is a protest against the position taken by Mr. Vizer against the IOC and his statements about the position of the international federations, vis a vis the IOC, which we cannot accept."

Others lining up to refute Vizer included ANOC president Sheikh Ahmad.

"On behalf of the 205 NOCs around the world, ANOC would like to stress its full commitment to Olympic Agenda 2020 and its implementation. Olympic Agenda 2020 was conceived after a year of consultation with every stakeholder in the Olympic Movement and the values of democracy, transparency and integrity were reflected in the 40 recommendations that were presented," he says in a statement released by ANOC.

"As president of ANOC and vice president of an international federation, I know that the voices of both the NOCs and the international federations were heard by IOC president Bach and the IOC.

"Under President Bach’s leadership, we look forward to moving towards a more united and brighter future.

The next development could come Tuesday afternoon. The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) is holding a meeting of its council, where the matter will be discussed, followed by a general assembly all day Wednesday where a proposal could be made.

Written by Nick Devlin in Sochi

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