IOC Proposes Ban Ki-moon as Next Ethics Commission Chair

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(ATR) Former United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon is the IOC Executive Board’s choice to be the third chair of the organization’s Ethics Commission.

The proposal must still be voted on by the full membership of the International Olympic Committee at its Session in Lima, Peru in September. The chair and all members of the IOC Ethics Commission must be elected by the full IOC membership under the Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms.

If elected, Ban would replace Youssoupha Ndiaye of Senegal, who is standing down as Ethics Commission chair at the end of the IOC Session in September. Ndiaye, former president of the Constitutional Court of Senegal, has been in the post since 2007, following the death of his countryman Kéba Mbaye, another jurist by trade.

Ban, as a career diplomat used to the media spotlight, would bring a much different skill set to the job than his predecessors.

"I am deeply honored to be nominated as the Chair of the IOC’s Ethics Commission and accept the position with a sense of humility and responsibility," Ban said in a statement.

"The United Nations and the International Olympic Committee have had a close working relationship over many years with both organizations contributing to building a peaceful and better world. In working closely under the principles of the IOC movement, I will do my best to enhance the accountability and transparency of the IOC."

Ban, who served as the 8th Secretary-General of the UN from January 2007 to December 2016, introduced a code of ethics to the organization during his tenure there.

He strongly believes in the role of sport as a conduit to address global challenges and has had a close relationship with the IOC over the years. He told the IOC Session in Sochi in 2014 that "Olympic principles are United Nations principles".

"The IOC is honored and pleased that Mr Ban accepted for his name to be put forward," IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement.

"On the one hand, Mr Ban has an exemplary record of public service with integrity, accountability and transparency. On the other hand, he is a great friend of the Olympic Movement."

Ban participated in the torch relay at the two most recent Olympics in Sochi and Rio de Janeiro.

Written by Gerard Farek

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