Should we see this as a defeat for France? Or a victory for Austria? A setback from the IOC? Or further proof of the predominance of money in the sports movement? A bit of all that, no doubt. In the battle for the presidency of SportAccord, the organization which oversees the international federations, the Frenchman Bernard Lapasset faced the Austrian Marius Vizer. The vote, organized this Friday morning in Saint Petersburg, delivered its verdict: Marius Vizer, the president of the International Judo Federation, was preferred to Bernard Lapasset, his rugby counterpart (IRB). The Austrian obtained 52 votes out of the 92 votes cast. He therefore succeeds the Dutchman Hein Verbruggen at the head of SportAccord.
Surprising? Not really. Marius Vizer was the first to enter the race. He campaigned for two years. And he was able to rely on the powerful global judo network. On the other hand, Bernard Lapasset left late, at the beginning of spring, too late to catch up. His campaign lacked resources, like France's "ghost" stand at the SportAccord convention earlier this week. His support turned out to be fewer and less organized.
A shrewd businessman, Marius Vizer has never hidden his penchant for “sport-business”. In judo, he straightened out the accounts and knew how to fill the coffers. He intends to do the same at SportAccord. As proof, his project to quickly set up a sort of global sports lottery and his resolutely ambitious idea of creating a global sports bank. A victory for money, some will say. Without a doubt. But not only.
The Austrian has also built his candidate program around a very controversial project to organize from 2017 the “World United Games”, a sort of gigantic world championships open to all sports, Olympic or not, planned every four years. In short, an alternative to the Olympic Games, but with a broader program. Reading between the lines, it is easy to guess that Marius Vizer's victory constitutes a setback for the IOC.
Barely elected, the new president of SportAccord wanted to be reassuring. He insisted on the predominance of the Olympic Games, and that his “World United Games” would in no way constitute a form of competition. Then the Austrian delivered a more conventional speech: “ It is known to everyone that my entire life has been dedicated to judo and sport in general. And it will remain unchanged. I am ready to put my time and energy into the development of all sports. By carrying out my activities in judo and SportAccord simultaneously, I believe that we will be able to advance these two organizations.s. "
Bernard Lapasset looks gloomy. The Frenchman will have to wait. Or tackle another challenge.
