Less known to the general public than Sergei Bubka, less influential than Thomas Bach, the Singaporean Ser Miang Ng, 64, presents himself as an outsider in the campaign for the succession of Jacques Rogge at the head of the IOC. This diplomat and businessman knows the house well, having joined the Olympic body in 1998. We owe him, in particular, the organization of the first Youth Olympic Games, in Singapore in 2010. Less than two months from the election, he answered questions from FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux : When did you want to run for the IOC presidency?
Ser Miang Ng : I made my decision about six months ago, after several discussions with my fellow IOC members. From these discussions, it emerged that our institution was certainly in an excellent situation, after having experienced very successful Games. But, at the same time, it was faced with a certain number of challenges: the fight against doping, illegal betting, gender parity in sports governance, the universality of Olympic values... Another challenge to take up, for the IOC, is to encourage the world's youth to embrace the values of sport and to engage in sporting activity. Today, nearly 50% of the world's population is under 25, or 3,5 billion people. For all these reasons, the IOC needs a leader who has a global vision of the future of our movement.
Think you can be that man?
Yes. My past, my career and my commitment qualify me to be a candidate.
You chose to announce your candidacy from the Sorbonne, in Paris, last May. Why such a choice ?
The Sorbonne is not an insignificant place for the Olympic movement, since it is there, in one of its rooms, that Pierre de Coubertin gave birth to the modern Games. I chose to declare myself in this place, in Paris, because I think that the IOC must never forget its past, even if it is engaged in reflection on its future.
If you are elected in September, what will be your first actions?
I have already told my colleagues: I am toying with the idea of spending a full half-day with each of them, to get to know them better, to exchange ideas, to discuss. This process will take me 57 days! I also announced my intention to bring together all the members for a sort of retreat, for three days, in the cradle of the Games, in Olympia. Three days during which we would discuss the most important issues for our movement over the next eight years.
What changes would you like to impose in the functioning of the IOC?
I would favor a form of continuity, ensuring that we maintain a common vision of our body. But I would also ensure that the IOC administration puts itself at the service of the members. She must help them more and support them in their work.
Are you in favor of a return to visits to candidate cities by all IOC members?
This is a subject that I would like us to discuss openly during the seminar that I would like to organize in Olympia. But, in all cases, there is an urgent need to review the city application process, to make it less complex, and above all less costly.
Will the election for the 2020 Games city have an influence on the election for the IOC presidency? Will there be alliances, some form of exchange?
I do not believe. The two ballots are very different from each other. In the first, it will be a question of choosing which city will be the best choice to organize a Games, not now, but in seven years. In the second, IOC members will vote for a leader. As for alliances, I don't believe in them either. The members of the IOC do not line up in blocks. They are autonomous and very independent.
How do you estimate your chances of winning?
The answer is difficult, because this election turns out to be on an Olympic scale, very competitive, with six very strong candidates. I'm having a lot of fun with this campaign. I spoke with many members of the IOC. And I will continue to do so over the next few weeks.
What will be the next major dates in your campaign calendar?
I will travel a lot, to go to the main major sporting events. So I will be in Cali for the World Games, then in Barcelona for the swimming world championships, in Moscow for the athletics ones, before going to Nanjing, in China, for the Asian Youth Games.
