Mario Vazquez Rana Confirms Resignation from ANOC, Olympic Solidarity

(ATR) Citing an"outrageous and aggressive race" for his succession, Mario Vazquez Rana confirms he is resigning from the Association of National Olympic Committees and Olympic Solidarity. He says his decision comes from his "love and respect" for the Olympic Movement.

In a four-page letter supplied to Around the Rings, Vazquez Rana makes clear his disdain for the two men he sees as principal actors in the ANOC succession fight, Patrick Hickey of Ireland and Sheikh Ahmad al-Sabah of Kuwait, questioning their ethics and motivation. Click here to read the letter.

Hickey, who also serves as President of the European Olympic Committees and Olympic Council of Ireland, received the harshest comments from Vazquez Rana in the letter.

The Irishman is set to replace Vazquez Rana on the IOC Executive Board, following a vote of the ANOC General Assembly in Moscow in April. The move, Vazquez Rana wrote, wasdone solely "to satisfy personal interests, damaging the prestige and image of an Organization like ANOC."

"There is no rule in the Olympic Charter and the ANOC Constitution does not foresee any procedure to that end," he wrote. "The urgency of this kind of pressure may only be explained by an excessive personal ambition and the craving for power of their promoters."

"In the particular case of Mr. Hickey’s proposal, in addition to the fact that it breaches our rules and practices, I clearly pointed out that I do not consider him a person with the minimum ethical and moral qualities to fulfill that responsibility," he added. "His behavior in these events reaffirms my conviction."

Al-Sabah, seen as the next in line for ANOC presidency, Vazquez Rana's wrath.

"It is worth noting that His Excellency Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who wants to preside ANOC, comes from a country whose National Olympic Committee has been suspended by the IOC for several years due to contradictions with its Government," Vazquez Rana wrote. "The Sheikh would have to be asked with what moral authority he intends to lead the National Olympic Committees worldwide."

Vazquez Rana says al-Sabah started the movement to create a "Senior Vice President" at ANOC who would step in for the ANOC president whenever he is unable to serve in that role. Vazquez Rana blasted the move calling it "sly and disloyal."

"Regarding the election of a Senior Vice President, in the beginning I thought it was an honest proposal, with no hidden intentions," Vazquez Rana said.

He added that he submitted a proposal that the SVP be elected by the General Assembly of ANOC, not the continental Vice Presidents.

"It is totally illogical and antidemocratic that only the 5 Vice Presidents elect the President’s substitute; no person, no matter how much power he or she has, may replace the right that corresponds solely to the 204 National Olympic Committees at the General Assembly."

Vazquez Rana paints his leadership in stark contrast to the two men now assumed to take control of ANOC, led by Vazquez Rana since 1979.

"As I reiterated in the last two Executive Council meetings, I am not encouraged by any personal interest in this serious and dangerous conflict. I defend, as I always have, my convictions, principles and ethics.

"I leave the positions I occupied within the Olympic Movement with the satisfaction of having fulfilled my duties and contributing towards the success of international Olympic sport, particularly the Olympic Games. No one may ever point out I used my positions within the Olympic Movement’s direction for personal benefit. On the contrary, during all these years I have devoted time, effort and personal resources to support sport and the athletes and that makes me feel very proud."

Vazquez Rana's nicest comments were reserved for the media.

"I would like to thank the media for their important and valuable support towards the fulfillment of my responsibilities," he said.

"I am aware that without this support, it would have been more difficult to attain the success achieved at the IOC, as well as in Olympic Solidarity and ANOC. I feel like a part of you and that is why I may appreciate, like no one else, the value and importance of the work you carry out to inform and educate."

Written by Ed Hula III.

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