(ATR) Miguel Angel Mujica is the new president of the Chilean Olympic Committee in a comfortable but contested election on Oct. 23.
Mujica earned 32 votes to succeed PanamSports president Neven Ilic as the COCH president, defeating rivals Carolina Sanz and Cristian Duarte who received 18 and two votes, respectively. There was also one abstention.
Ilic, who was elected PanamSports president and an IOC member this year, was on hand for the election along with 52 other members of Chile’s National Federations. He thanked those in attendance for their support of his leadership over the past 12 years.
Mujica is also the general secretary of the South American Sports Organization (ODESUR) and has previously served as the Chilean Rugby Federation president. He was exuberant following his election.
"The truth is I'm very happy," Mujica said in a statement. "This is a great challenge that I assume with total responsibility. I thank all those who voted for me, and I also call on those who did not to work together for Chilean sport. The doors of my office will always be open to everyone.
"There are many things to do at the Olympic Committee. The most important thing is that we work together, Olympic and non-Olympic sports, athletes, technicians and federations. All are important in this work."
The new president also congratulated his competitors on a hard fought, month-long campaign.
Mujica’s four-year term will extend through the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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