(ATR) Bobsleigh and skeleton federation presidentIvoFerriani is the newest member of the IOC Executive Board. He replacesGian-Franco Kasperrepresenting the seven Olympic winter sports federations (AIOWF).
Ferriani,58,who was elected to the IOC in 2016, will serve a mandate of four years.The Italian was votedto the EB by his fellow members at the IOC Session in Buenos Aires on Tuesday morning.
"It is a great honor and a great responsibility,"Ferriani tellsAround the Rings shortly after his election in Buenos Aires. "I’m here for sport and I want to do all my best for sport. I know we have to work a lot and I’m ready to work a lot.
"Mr. Kasper is a fantastic guy who created a pathway, but I have to do something more if I can."
Kasper – who turns 75 in January –has been an IOC member since 2000, while leading the International Ski Federation (FIS) since 1998. He completes his IOC term due to age limit statutes in the Olympic Charter.The outspoken ski federation chief was granted IOC Honorary Member status.
Ferriani isa former member of the Italian national bobsleigh team and competed at the 1988 Calgary Games. He has been president of the IBSF since 2000, recently winning a third term, and also serves on the coordination commission for the Beijing 2022 Winter Games.
"I’m a fan of sustainability and legacy – we have to work on these things,"Ferriani said. "I will engage myself more than now to be sure that we create a fantastic, sustainable Games with a great legacy for the future generations."
Ferriani expressed his commitment to the fight against doping. Bobsleigh and skeleton felt the impact of the Russian doping scandal, which resulted in the forced move of the 2017 world championships fromSochi toKönigssee, Germany.
"All clean athletes have to be protected," said the Italian. "I have no compromise, we have to create the future world where kids can try the sport."
Kasper was the first beneficiary of a new IOC rule granting members special dispensation to remain as an IOC member beyond the age of 70. This rule, however, lasts for a maximum of four years and Kasper celebrated his 74th birthday in January.
"He is a huge mentor for me – I’m always in touch with him and I’m always exchanging ideas with him,"Ferriani said of Kasper.
Written and reported by Brian Pinelli in Buenos Aires
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