adminBUENOS AIRES. — New International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach will be tested quickly by two troublesome Olympics: the Winter Games less than five months away in the southern Russian resort of Sochi, and the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro — still three years away but setting off alarms.
Bach was elected to the top job on Tuesday, replacing Jacques Rogge as head of the International Olympic Committee. One of the first phone calls he received was from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is staking his prestige on the Sochi Games.
“He congratulated and (said) there would be close co-operation to make (sure of) the success of the Sochi Games,’’ Bach said.
The build-up to the February 7-23 Games has been overshadowed by concerns with cost overruns, human rights, a budget topping US$50 billion, security threats and a Western backlash against a Russian law against gay “propaganda.’’
Bach and the IOC have been told by the Russians there would be no discrimination against anyone in Sochi, and that Russia would abide by the Olympic Charter.
“We have the assurances of the highest authorities in Russia that we trust,’’ Bach said.
It remains unclear what would happen if athletes or spectators demonstrate against the anti-gay law. Rogge said this week the IOC would send a reminder to athletes that, under the Olympic Charter, they are prohibited from making any political gestures.—AFP
Online Reporter