Hellenic Olympic Leadership Cast Into Doubt

(ATR) A Greek court ruling means the status of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Presidency is back up in the air.

A court ruled that the results from February’s election were declared "void and unlawful" due to the absence of one of the candidates and federation leaders. Spyros Capralos won reelection to the HOC Presidency in February with 14 votes out of a possible 27.

The results were marred due to the sudden hospitalization of challenger Isidoros Kouvelos just before the election. Some in Greece have said that the actions taken by Kouvelos were a political maneuver, not one borne out of a serious health concern. With Kouvelos hospitalized, 11 federations withdrew from the election.

Capralos was not immediately available for comment on the ruling, but Around the Ringsunderstands he is seeking new elections as soon as possible. Attempts to reach Kouvelos were not returned.

"The meeting of the Plenary Session of the 6th of February was null and void, as it took place in breach of the explicit decision for postponement for reasons of force majeure, taken by Lambis Nikolaou, Honorary member of the IOC for Greece and interim HOC President, which was duly notified to all HOC members," the ruling read.

"The election of Spyros Capralos to the position of HOC President and elections of the other persons to their offices, in that irregular meeting, are null and void and therefore all their appointments are overturned."

Only a Greek IOC member has the power to call an election for the HOC. Greece has been without an IOC member since 2015, for the first time ever. Lambis Nikolaou remains an honorary IOC member, meaning the power to call an election rests with him. Nikolaou did not return requests for comment from ATR about the situation.

The IOC said in a statement to ATR that it is "aware of a decision taken by the court," but refused to comment citing a lack of information. The IOC has withheld funding recently from the Kenya National Olympic Committee for an indefinite delay of elections. It is unclear if Greece could face a similar IOC reprimand for its situation.

A lack of leadership at the HOC could have a ripple effect for the Olympic Movement. The HOC is most importantly responsible for coordinating the beginnings of the Olympic Torch Relay. The PyeongChang 2018 Torch Relay will begin this October. Traditionally the relay begins in Olympia, Greece with a ceremony staged by the HOC.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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