Nuzman: ODESUR Must Have Own Space

(ATR) Losing the election for Pan American Sports Organization president was the impetus for resigning from the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR) Carlos Nuzman tells Around the RIngs.

Earlier this week Brazilian newspaper Estadao reported Nuzman informed the membership of ODESUR he would be stepping down after 14 years as its president. Nuzman sent a letter to the members of ODESUR on May 11 resigning his position.

"After the results of the ODEPA I believe it would be better for ODESUR to move on its own," Nuzman said to ATR. "This would allow ODESUR to find its own way. In the new PASO, ODESUR should have a new space."

Nuzman ran for PASO President against Neven Ilic of Chile and Jose Puello of the Dominican Republic. Puello secured the most votes in round one, but not enough to win outright. In the same round, both Nuzman and Ilic received the same amount of votes, leading to a runoff.

In the runoff Ilic prevailed, and ultimately secured the PASO Presidency.

It is understood that Nuzman’s decision to quit his ODESUR post stems from not receiving unanimous backing from the South American block during the PASO elections. Without full backing it was time to step back from the organization.

Nuzman’s only sporting responsibilities remain with the Brazilian Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission. Nuzman was re-elected to a final term in charge of the COB, for which his mandate runs until 2020. He was added to the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission last month.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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