(ATR) Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates tells sports federation leaders that he will work to find a successor if he is elected to a final term.
Coates, who was first elected in 1990, is facing the first serious challenge since then by hockey gold medalist and Melbourne business woman Danni Roche. The election is May 6 in Sydney.
The campaign has taken an ugly turn with accusations of bullying against AOC media chief Mike Tancred. A trusted aide to Coates, the AOC President is being pressured to respond to the accusations. Among those complaining about their treatment at the AOC is former CEO Fiona de Jong who says she has waited four months for a reply.
Coates, meanwhile, in his letter to the Australian sports federations says he use his last term to groom new leadership for the AOC.
"In this my last term I will work with the executive and federations to ensure future leaders gain the exposure and experience they will need to get the best results for Australian sport in the future," Coates writes in a letter sent to the 40 sports federations which have a vote in the election.
"I have always worked hard, and continue to work hard, to ensure Australian teams and athletes have the best possible resources and opportunities,’’ says Coates.
Coates presents his experience in sports administration, especially at the international level, that he says should be part of the resume of his successor.
"It was that experience that prepared me for the international roles that I now play for the Australian sporting federations and athletes and I am committed to providing similar exposure and experience to all of those from whom the next president will emerge for election,’’ he says.
Coates says that his positions as a senior IOC member will be a valuable way to groom new AOC leadership.
"It is as chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games that I can provide the best experience and exposure opportunities for those that the AOC Nominations Committee identifies as future leaders, from within and outside the executive, by inviting them to the biannual Co-ordination Commission and biannual project review meetings,’’ he says in the federations letter.
Roche says Coates should step down after 30 years in office and has made an issue of the $AU 730,000 compensation package he receives.
Roche wants Coates to become honorary president if she is elected. The post would allow Coates to continue his IOC duties through his retirement in four years at age 70.
A staunch supporter of Coates, New South Wales Labor party kingpin Graham Richardson is urging an end to what he calls "a smear campaign" against Coates.
His OpEd appeared this weekend in The Australian.
"I can understand the desperation of a mob headed for an embarrassing defeat. When that desperation turns as ugly as this it deserves to be called out," writes Richardson.
Written by Ed Hula.
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