(ATR) The organization representing the national Olympic committeesof the Americas heads toward a new era.
The 41 NOCs of the Pan American Sports Organization meet April 11 inMiami to take the next steps after the death in February of Mario Vazquez Rana. The Mexican businessman, 82 at the time, led PASO for 40 years without challenge, putting his mark on the group.
The PASO membership is expected to elect Julio Cesar Maglione as the first new president of the group since Vazquez Rana took over in 1975.
Maglione is president of the Uruguay NOC, president of international swimming federation FINA and a member of the IOC. But at age 79, Maglione has agreed only to serve in a caretaker role for the next year, corresponding with the next scheduled election for a full four-year presidential term and the members of the executive committee.
The election of Maglione is the only action item on the agenda for the PASO meeting in Miami. But following the vote, the delegates are supposed to open discussion on the future of the organization. It’s a future that is likely to bring a wave of changes with the end of the sometimes imperious style of Vazquez Rana.
Possible contenders to succeed Vazquez Rana include Chile NOC president Neven Ivan Ilic; Carlos Nuzman of Brazil, president of the NOC as well as Rio 2016; St. Lucia IOC member and NOC president Richard Peterkin and Joaquin Puello, president of the 2003 Pan Am Games in Santo Domingo and former president of the Dominican Republic NOC.
The PASO membership could discuss whether a term limit is needed for the next president. Vazquez Rana was in his tenth term when he died.
Changes to the structure of PASO may be brought up, including whether a more central location for the group’s headquarters are needed. Currently based in Mexico City, Miami has been mentioned as a more suitable location.
Prior to the general assembly, the executive committee will convene to review current business.Lima, host for the 2019 Pan Ams, will report on the new leadership structure ordered by the Peruvian government. A task force that will travel to Lima to review preparations is expected to be named this weekend.
Toronto, host for the Pan Am Games this July, will not be attending the assembly. Any further business or discussions between PASO and Toronto will take place at the PASO Coordination Commission visit scheduled for late April.
Written by EdHula
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