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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 SPORTS Rogge leaves IOC in sturdy shape after 12 years BUENOS AIRES: Twelve years after taking IOC members meeting in Buenos Aires sued a more democratic, collegial and leave an IOC in good shape to my succes- there will be no discrimination against any over an IOC recovering from its worst over the next week will elect Rogge’s suc- management-oriented approach. sor.” athletes or spectators at the games. ethics scandal, Jacques Rogge is leaving cessor among six candidates by secret bal- Some critics called Rogge dull and Rogge presided over Summer Olympics Construction delays and other organi- with the Olympic body in much sturdier lot Sept. 10. The new president will face wooden, but he liked to describe himself in Athens (2004), Beijing (2008) and zational setbacks, meanwhile, are raising shape but facing serious challenges. tough issues, including the backlash over as a “sober” and level-headed leader in London (2012), and Winter Games in Salt concerns that Rio could be another The 71-year-old Belgian steps down as anti-gay legislation in Russia before keeping with his medical background. Lake City (2002), Turin (2006) and Athens. “We’re working hard together with president next Tuesday after steering the February’s Winter Games in Sochi and con- After serving an initial eight-year term, Vancouver (2010). Some were trickier than both organizers and any potential short- International Olympic Committee through cern over construction delays in Rio. others: Salt Lake City came just months coming has been addressed, so I expect a period of relative stability that spanned Rogge was elected the IOC’s eighth after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks; both games to be good ones,” Rogge said. three Summer Olympics and three Winter president in Moscow in 2001, succeeding Athens was dogged by chronic delays; “I think Sochi will be absolutely OK Games. Juan Antonio Samaranch, a Spaniard who Beijing was surrounded by controversy because the Russians love sport, they Rogge, an orthopedic surgeon who ran the committee with an authoritarian over China’s record on Tibet and human know sport, there is no limitation in their competed in three Olympics in sailing, is style for 21 years. Rogge took office follow- rights. desire to perform well. completing his term with a reputation for ing the Salt Lake City scandal, in which 10 Rogge steered away from Samaranch’s “For Rio, I am quite sure and quite confi- bringing a calm, steady hand to the often IOC members resigned or were expelled practice of calling an Olympics the “best dent they will be very good games also. turbulent world of Olympic politics. for receiving scholarships, payments and ever,” choosing other words to sum up the We will benefit from the experience of the He took a hard line against doping and gifts during its winning bid for the 2002 success of each games. (2014) World Cup.” ethics violations, created the Youth Winter Games. “I’m very glad of the quality of the Human rights groups and other outside Olympics, oversaw a growth in IOC Rogge, who enjoyed a “Mr. Clean” repu- games that were held under my watch, critics have accused Rogge and the IOC of finances during a time of global economic tation, broke with the tainted and elitist summer or winter,” Rogge said. “I would say failing to speak out against abuses in host crisis and made peace with the U.S. image of the IOC, choosing to stay in the they were ‘magnificent,’ ‘exceptional,’ countries like China, Russia and Brazil. Olympic Committee after years of bitter athletes village as much as possible during ‘superb,’ ‘truly unforgettable,’ and ‘gracious Rogge espouses “quiet diplomacy” and squabbling over revenues. the six games that he oversaw. and glorious’ for London.” Rogge is leaving says the IOC is a sports organization, not a Under Rogge’s watch, the IOC has also “He was absolutely the right person at his successor with two potentially difficult government or political body. taken the Olympics to new places - includ- the right time,” senior Norwegian IOC games ahead. Looking back, Rogge cites the achieve- ing awarding the 2016 event to Rio de member Gerhard Heiberg said. “We had a Jacques Rogge Apart from security worries and cost ments of Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps as Janeiro for the first games in South lot of turmoil. We had to get out of that. We overruns, the buildup to the Feb. 7-23 Olympic highlights - even though he criti- America. had to get another image. He has brought Rogge was re-elected unopposed in 2009 Sochi Games has been dominated recently cized the Jamaican sprinter for showboat- “I hope that people, with time, will con- stability to the organization.” to a second and final four-year term. He by an international outcry over a new ing in Beijing and questioned whether he sider that I did a good job for the IOC,” Rogge’s measured leadership was in now reflects with quiet satisfaction on his Russian law banning gay “propaganda.” was a “living legend” in London. Rogge, in an interview with The Associated sharp contrast with that of Samaranch. time holding down the most powerful Rogge and the IOC have been criticized for As for the low point of his presidency, Press, said with typical understatement. While the former Spanish diplomat post in international sports. not doing enough to fight the legislation. Rogge has no hesitation. “On the dark side, “That’s what you legitimately want to be worked behind the scenes and twisted “I received an IOC in good shape from Rogge said he is “comforted” that Russia it is the death of Nodar Kumaritashvili that I remembered for.” arms to get what he wanted, Rogge pur- Samaranch,” Rogge said. “And I believe I will has given the IOC “strong assurances” that will never forget,” he said.—AP Alonso the man at Monza MONZA: Fernando Alonso is the in 2011 - and team principal for the sport’s oldest and most suc- without Italian drivers. man who can make the red wave Christian Horner spoke in Belgium cessful team would be a fitting “I am Brazilian but my family of Ferrari fans truly happy at of it as a potential ‘Achilles Heel’ for farewell. “Its an important weekend came from Italy so this is some- Monza’s ‘Pista Magica’, Italy’s his car. for us, for the team,” agreed Alonso, thing of a home race as I have an revered cathedral of speed that is “We don’t expect, maybe, to be who will have to be at his very best Italian passport and our family has also Formula One’s fastest circuit, that strong (at Monza) but let’s see,” to line up on the front row for the something of an Italian lifestyle,” he this weekend. A Ferrari one-two Vettel said after winning at Spa last first time in 22 races and more than told the Ferrari website (www.fer- would be a dream scenario for the month for his fifth victory of the a year of trying. rari.com) this week. ‘tifosi’, with Brazilian Felipe Massa year. “Last year we were very close to “This all adds up to a very spe- needing his best result in almost a There is more optimism - and repeat the victory that we got also cial race for me.” Toro Rosso’s year for that to happen, but a win burden of expectation - at Ferrari, in 2010, so we arrive fully motivat- Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who will be Vettel’s team mate at Red Bull next season as replacement for departing compatriot Mark Webber, also has an Italian passport but cannot count on too much support even if he currently races for an Italian-based team. The Monza fans are famed for their passion as well as their com- plete devotion to all-things Ferrari, their enthusiasm more like a soccer crowd venting its ire at anyone on the podium not dressed in red. Lewis Hamilton was booed by RIYADH: Ahmed Eid Al-Harbi, President of SAFF (left) with David Butorac, them last year when he won for CEO, OSN. McLaren, with Ferrari-powered cars second, third and fourth, and cannot expect much to have changed should he return triumphant with Mercedes. The 2008 world champion is chasing his fifth pole in suc- cession to give himself the best shot of a repeat win to close the Fernando Alonso in action in this file photo gap on Vettel and Alonso after being left trailing by both rivals at for Alonso in the final European the most successful constructor by ed again and in Monza we would Spa and finishing third. The driver round of the season is required - far at their home circuit with 18 like to give some smiles and some starting on pole has won eight of and entirely possible. wins over the years compared to satisfaction to the tifosi and we will the last 10 races at Monza and only With eight races remaining, the McLaren’s 10. try our best,” said the double cham- three current drivers - by coinci- Spaniard is 46 points behind Red Alonso won in 2010, and was pion. dence the top three in the champi- Bull’s triple world champion and third in 2011 and 2012. He also Massa, whose future is under onship - have won there before. overall leader Sebastian Vettel with won with McLaren in 2007 and was more scrutiny now that Red Bull None of them has so far won twice some of the German’s most domi- second in 2005 with Renault.

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