Marius Vizer is not only the president, since 2007, of the International Judo Federation. The Austrian leader is also aiming for the presidency of SportAccord, where he hopes to succeed the Dutchman Hein Verbruggen at the end of the month. For FrancsJeux, he explains the why and how of his candidacy. And slips a word about his rival for the election, the Frenchman Bernard Lapasset, president of the International Rugby Federation.
FrancsJeux : Why are you running for the presidency of SportAccord?
Marius Vizer: I am a candidate because I consider that sport needs to be administered and organized in a global way. Like, ultimately, the economy and society. For this, I have developed a program which, if supported by international federations, can generate a global event whose revenues could contribute to the financing of sport at all levels, from grassroots to the Olympic Games.
What are the broad outlines of your program?
I would like to bring added value to international federations, in their management, the organization of events, marketing, the media, financial resources. I also want to ensure more promotion for sport and put in place a governance model that is applicable in all sectors of society. I also plan to found an International Sports Bank, a sports insurance company and a Sports Lottery. Finally, I propose the creation of “unified” world championships, an event that would bring together all sports, Olympic and non-Olympic. By giving them greater visibility, these Worlds would provide national and international federations with a new source of income.
In the event of victory, what direction would you like to give to SportAccord?
My goal is to transform SportAccord into an efficient and profitable organization, which promotes the interests of international federations, continental confederations and national federations in all sports. A goal that I intend to achieve by working in collaboration and support of the Olympic movement.
What do you think of your opponent for the presidency of SportAccord, the Frenchman Bernard Lapasset?
I appreciate Bernard Lapasset as a colleague in the Olympic movement. But I don't know him well enough to judge what he could achieve in the future within the framework of SportAccord.
