A great specialist in Olympic issues, the American journalist Alan Abrahamson was present in Buenos Aires at the beginning of the month for the 125rd IOC session. FrancsJeux today publishes one of its articles, dedicated to Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, a key but controversial figure in the international institution. To find the original version of this article in English on 3WireSports, here.
« The media asked me for my opinion. I replied: Thank you for making me a hero. » The man who speaks this way is Kuwaiti. His name: Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah. The scene took place last Tuesday in Buenos Aires, in the lobby of the Hilton hotel. The German Thomas Bach has just been elected 9th president of the International Olympic Committee. Earlier in the session, wrestling was reinstated to the Olympic program. And Tokyo has won the race for the 2020 Games.
Moments earlier, Anita DeFrantz of Los Angeles was elected to the IOC Executive Board. To the great pleasure of some. Much to the surprise of others. Indeed, without the support of the Sheikh, the American had never gathered more than a few votes in each campaign conducted over the last twelve years.
The United States Olympic Committee is still far from making a decision on a possible candidacy for 2024. The costs are staggering. The federal government is particularly uncertain. But if Anita DeFrantz can join the Executive Commission with the support of the Sheikh, a US bid for the 2024 Games – a project, at present, supported by the Sheikh – is at least worth considering.
And the Sheikh continued: “ Americans asked me: “Are you the most powerful man in sports?” » I answered them: “Are you the most powerful nation? » Then, more seriously: “ Asking myself if I am the most powerful man hurts Doctor Bach ". He then lists Bach's feats of arms: gold medal fencer, member of the IOC for 22 years, veteran of the Executive Commission, president of the Legal Commission, head of anti-doping investigations, negotiator of European television rights.
« Mostly, continues the Sheikh, don't give the impression that Dr. Bach is not in power. He is the power »
Throughout last week in Buenos Aires, the Sheikh, also President of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees, firmly established himself as the strong man of Olympic influence.
Tokyo, wrestling, Bach – the Sheikh achieved the trifecta. Then, for good measure, DeFrantz.
How could this happen, and why? Is such a concentration of influence in the hands of one man positive for the Olympic movement?
The al-Sabah family holds key positions in Kuwait's government and military, and has broad interests in the oil industry. The Sheikh never hid any of this. His Olympic biography, for example, recalls his military service as an officer in the Kuwaiti army between 1985 and 1990. It is also recalled in detail that he was president of OPEC between 2003 and 2005, minister of Energy of Kuwait and, since 2006, Minister of National Security.
In 2008, a document from the American embassy, revealed by Wikileaks, indicated that Sheikh Ahmad was “ widely perceived as corrupt ". No details to support this statement, but, on the other hand, this superb compliment: “(Sheikh Ahmad) is intelligent, ambitious, and widely seen as the only member of the ruling family with both the desire and ability to lead »
During his very first press conference, a few hours after his election, Thomas Bach answered questions from the audience about his relationship with the Sheikh, whose support was public knowledge. “ You cannot win the IOC presidential elections with the support of one person “, replied Thomas Bach, adding a moment later, in reference to the members of the IOC: “ They are all individuals with strong personalities. You have to convince them one by one. This is how I tried to run my campaign »
Responding to another question, Thomas Bach states: “ In all my conversations with IOC members, I have not made a single promise. This will allow me, next Tuesday, when I go to Lausanne, to start with a clean sheet. »
However, rampant speculation lends the Sheikh the desire to run personally for the presidency of the IOC. Thomas Bach's mandate will be 8 years, renewable for 4 years. The Sheikh is only 50 years old. So there is plenty of time.
What so many people want to know is whether the Sheikh is a beneficial power or not.
The Sheikh's headquarters in Lausanne is the Hôtel Beau Rivage, near the lake. His money is certainly well spent there. But this is also the case for a large number of IOC members.
The Sheikh gave a party in Buenos Aires to mark the end of this historic 125th session. A private party, by invitation, in a palace. A few days earlier, in the same hotel, those responsible for the fight had given a superb celebration party. An excellent deal.
The Sheikh – and his many, many supporters – all insisted there was nothing suspicious about it. But the Sheikh is totally legitimate. In reality, they say, the Sheikh is fully committed to best practices in governance and transparency within the Olympic sphere.
The Sheikh took over as head of ANOC last year. This role allows him to manage the IOC Olympic Solidarity Commission, a program which aims to provide financial, technical and administrative assistance to National Olympic Committees, particularly those from developing countries. Its budget between 2009 and 2013: $435 million, or more than 40% increase compared to the previous period ($311 million between 2009 and 2012).
As one European IOC member said, speaking anonymously: “ The Sheikh is dedicated. The Sheikh is active. The Sheikh is interested. It's a new order of things ».
The mysterious atmosphere that persists around Sheikh Ahmad comes in part from the country from which he comes. Because he is a member of the royal family of his nation. Because he moves in circles that are difficult to integrate. And because he only gives rare official interviews.
The Sheikh is perfectly at ease in Arab, Western or Asian cultures. And he speaks perfectly in several languages, including English.
It would be a fundamental error to underestimate Sheikh Ahmad. He is tireless. And very intelligent.
Skeptics would say that the Sheikh is greatly aided, as detailed in his Olympic biography, by having served as Kuwait's Minister of National Security for 7 years.
The Sheikh has been a member of the IOC since 1992. The previous year, his father was assassinated on the second day of the Iraqi invasion. The son learned a lot from Juan Antonio Samaranch, especially about the value of human relationships. The outgoing president, Jacques Rogge, presented it last Monday as “ someone who is like my younger brother..” A key element in the Sheikh’s success within the IOC.
This has been said, time and time again, but it bears repeating: within what is called “ the Olympic family ", human relationships are everything.
So, to defend his campaigns, the Sheikh repeats: “ Logic ". Then : " Credibility ". Then, " In the end, win ».
As simple as it may seem, it is quite fundamental, and this explains the number of those who wish to join him: “ men love victory ».
Asked about the ability of the unsure to believe in him from now on, the Sheikh replied: “ I think people tend to believe in these numbers ". A reference to the victory of Thomas Bach, elected in the 2nd round.
He's joking : " I am not campaigning to find a position within the International Federation of Journalists ».
Then, again, seriously: “ There are rumors, media, PR. Eventually you have to accept it. I think people accept me ».
