IOC President Appoints Chief of Staff

(ATR) Thomas Bach has recruited Jochen Färber as his new chief of staff, the German's first key staff appointment since becoming IOC President.

The 46-year-old, who will head Bach’s executive office, leaves his post as managing director of the Olympic Training centre for fencing in Germany to work alongside Bach in Lausanne. He begins Dec. 1.

IOC director general Christophe De Kepper, who is also interim finance director until a new one is appointed, is expected to continue working closely with Bach.

The news was first announced on the German Fencing Federation’s website before the IOC put out a press release.

Färber, a journalist by training, has worked in sport management and communications, including serving as the Munich 2018 bid communications director. He speaks German, English and French.

He was involved in the organization of four Olympic fencing tournaments and more than 20 world championships. Färber was also head of broadcasting at the International Fencing Federation. He also founded and ran his own PR and communications agency for over ten years.

"The German Fencing Association regrets that Jochen Färber leaves the fencing community , but for many years he was one of the leading international media experts in our sport. His new job is for him a great opportunity and a challenge , which he will meet with flying colors , " DFB president Gordon Rapp said in a statement.

Färber is Bach’s second significant appointment of the week following the announcement that John Coates of Australia would chair the coordination commission for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Namibia’s Frank Fredericks was also named to chair the co-com for the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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