Humbled Vizer Apologizes to ASOIF Assembly -- On the Scene

(ATR) SportAccord president Marius Vizer says he is sorry for the stir created by his opening speech in Sochi.

ASOIF held its general meeting on Thursday at the SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit, one that Vizer attended in his role as president of the International Judo Federation.

Early in the meeting, ASOIF president Francesco Ricci Bitti turned the floor over to Vizer, who defended the comments by saying he made five proposals to Olympic leaders after the London Olympics and he was told "not one was possible."

Vizer then reminded attendees of the proposals, on items ranging from IOC membership qualifications to federations’ involvement in Olympic planning.

Ricci Bitti called some "practical" but said others were "political content." He said SportAccord can thrive by focusing on niche sport events - Combat Games, Mind Games, Beach Games, etc. - and urged Vizer to consider the reality and the composition of the IOC.

"You have to know if something is feasible or not and what is the best way to put attention on something you want to achieve."

Vizer said he regretted his speech - one that Ricci Bitti called "smoke" - and the firestorm it has caused which has dominated talk at the convention.

"Regarding the content, I expressed my voice and that is my opinion. For the rest, I am sorry, but I think everybody in the world of sport is free to express an opinion, who has vision, who has attitude, because that is the world of the sport."

Ricci Bitti told Vizer he "appreciates his energy" and values their personal relationship. The tennis chief also acknowledged he shares Vizer’s concerns about the number of federation-driven organizations that are actually necessary for the Olympic movement to thrive.

"We have too many umbrellas, and - as I’ve said before - it’s not raining."

Ricci Bitti also again confirmed, as he did to Around the Rings on Tuesday, that 27 of the 28 ASOIF federations had signed the letter of dissent after Vizer’s speech.

"You can imagine who was the 28th," said Ricci Bitti, referring to Vizer and judo.

The ASOIF president believes they have now taken a step forward and said there is nothing to be gained by focusing on the issue further.

"It is a waste of time to start a war."

Written by Nick Devlin

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.