I am still in the IOC race, says cycling chief Lappartient
PYLOS, Greece, March 19 (Reuters) - David Lappartient, one of seven candidates to head the International Olympic Committee, said on Wednesday the race ahead of Thursday's vote was still too close to call and he expected several rounds of voting for a majority result.
Lappartient, who heads the international cycling union (UCI), is up against current IOC vice-president Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe, multiple Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry, who is Zimbabwe's sports minister, and Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan.
International Gymnastics Federation head Morinari Watanabe and Olympic newcomer and multimillionaire Johan Eliasch, who heads the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, complete the list of candidates.
While there is no clear front-runner, as was the case in 2013 when then-favourite Bach swept to victory, Coe, Samaranch and Coventry, long seen as Bach's preferred choice, are considered to have an edge over the other candidates.
"I will try to convince my colleagues that my candidature is one of the best. I think there's going to be more than three rounds to get the majority needed for presidency," Lappartient told reporters.
"I don't think one of the candidates is strong enough to secure a majority (in the early rounds of voting)."
From the 100-odd votes that members will cast at the southern Greek seaside resort where the IOC session is held, the winner will need an outright majority.
If that is not the case, then the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and another round of voting is held.
"I am still in the race," said Lappartient. "I will use, I would say, my sport, (a) bicycle race. I think that it's riding fast, but I'm still in the first part of the bunch. So I've not been dropped from the bunch.
"So I still believe it's possible. But of course, you need... to be humble and to know also that you have solid candidates."
The president is elected on an eight-year term with the possibility to stand for a second four-year term.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Benjamin Nygren not who he seems as exact fee to seal his Celtic transfer named and Greg Taylor hijack is ON
The 23-year-old is on the brink of Glasgow despite a raft of clubs in Europe chasing him Premiership champions Celtic must stump up £2million if they want to sign top target Benjamin Nygren – according to multiple reports in Sweden. The 23-year-old stands on the brink of heading to Glasgow despite a raft of clubs in Europe and the MLS batting to land the Nordsjælland attacker who only has six months remaining on his deal. Nygren has plumped for Celtic and now it's down to the Parkhead side and the Danish side to broker terms on an agreement for the Sweden international. The forward can play in multiple positions and he has experience as a No.10 in-behind a main striker to provide Brendan Rodgers with a player who can fill multiple positions. Incumbent right-sided starter Nicolas Kuhn is expected to attracted significant transfer interest this summer with Premier League sides Brentford and Fulham casting admiring glances amid his eye-catching exploits in the Champions League. Meanwhile, FC Copenhagen have joined the race to sign Greg Taylor, according to a report. The left back is out of contract at Celtic and looked set to join Greek outfit PAOK on a two-year deal. But Greek media have suggested that talks have stalled, and now Copenhagen are hoping to take advantage, claims the Scottish Sun. The Superliga champions can offer Taylor the carrot of an immediate return to Champions League football, while PAOK will be playing in the Europa League next season. Two English sides are also thought to be interested in the Scotland international.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Sir Chris Hoy shares new update on 'terrifying' cancer 'death sentence'
The cycling legend was told last year he had between two and four years to live. Sir Chris Hoy says he wants to show that "life goes on" following his cancer diagnosis, despite admitting it felt like receiving a "death sentence". The 49-year-old was told he had stage four prostate cancer in 2023, going public with the news in February 2024 when he announced he was undergoing treatment. The six-time Olympic gold medallist had visited a doctor with shoulder pain, but a scan later revealed a tumour. He revealed last October that it had spread to his bones, and had been told he had two to four years to live. However, in a new update on his condition, he shared his experience of racing at the Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational on Friday, June 13, alongside British racing driver and presenter Chris Harris, the Mirror report s. Speaking to TNT Sport, Hoy said: "I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer almost two years ago now, and it shocked me, it rocked my world. "It changed everything in one sentence, you're told that's not curable, but it's treatable. So suddenly, you have this death sentence, and it's terrifying, but I'm here to show that life goes on for many people in that situation." He was part of the Academy Motorsport team, with him and Harris securing a 20th place finish with a total time of 37:34:746, with a best lap time of 4:30:864. Hoy famously took part in Le Mans Proper in 2016, finishing 17th out of 60 drivers and 12th in class. Speaking about the race, he added: "It's always been the endurance event. If you get the chance as an amateur driver, this is the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake, this is the big one. "I still pinch myself that I got to do it, when you watch on TV or come to watch it live, I still can't quite believe I was out there, elbows out with the big boys. It's different to anywhere else I've been to. "Not many people ever get to race on this track or drive on this track. It was an incredible experience, unlike anything else I've ever done in any sport, let alone in motorsport." It comes as he is due to take part in the Tour de 4 in September, a mass-participation bike ride which he organised with the aim of raising £1 million for UK cancer charities while changing the public's perception of a stage four diagnosis. Speaking about the event, he said: "The bike ride is to try and get as many people together as possible, not just people suffering with cancer but anybody, to show we can keep on living, make the most of every day and live in the present, because that's all any of us have." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. It is due to begin at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow on September 7, and offers participants a choice of four different rides, including giving those affected by cancer the opportunity to ride on static bikes at the venue. Revealing his stage four diagnosis in October, Hoy said: "As unnatural as it feels, this is nature. "You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process. You remind yourself, aren't I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible." He added: "Hand on heart, I'm pretty positive most of the time and I have genuine happiness. This is bigger than the Olympics. It's bigger than anything. This is about appreciating life and finding joy."
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Soccer Aid - all to know including line-up, how to watch and when it starts
Soccer Aid is getting underway for another year this weekend where plenty of celebrity faces will compete on the iconic Old Trafford grounds Soccer Aid is due to kick off this weekend where celebrities will will lacing up their football boots to raise money for charity. Each year the match takes place for Unicef and this year features plenty of well-known faces. As well as celebs, football stars will be returning to the pitch for another game as England goes head to head with the World XI. The event has been running for more than two decades and has raised more than £100million overall. Sam Matterface will be commentating on the match while Love Island voice Iain Stirling will be joining his alongside. Here's everything you need to know about Soccer Aid this weekend: Soccer Aid line-up You'll certainly recognise this year's players and coaches as several A-listers are getting involved. Some celebs will be on the pitch while others will be subs or acting as coaches for the team. Here's who you will see: England coaching team: Tyson Fury (Boxer) Harry Redknapp (Former football manager) Vicky McClure (Actor) David James (Former footballer Sam Thompson (TV star) England players: Steven Bartlett (Entrepreneur) Alex Brooker (TV personality) Jermain Defoe (Former footballer) Toni Duggan (Former footballer) Sir Mo Farah (Former Olympian) Angry Ginge (YouTuber) Tom Grennan (Musician) Joe Hart (Former footballer) Steph Houghton (Former footballer) Aaron Lennon (Former footballer) Dame Denise Lewis (Olympic gold medallist) Paddy McGuinness (TV personality) Gary Neville (Former footballer) Sam Quek (Former Olympian) Wayne Rooney (Former footballer) Paul Scholes (Former footballer) Jill Scott (Former footballer) Louis Tomlinson (Musician) World XI coaching team: Peter Schmeichel (Former footballer) World XI players: Noah Beck (Actor) Tony Bellew (Boxer) Leonardo Bonucci (Former footballer) Tobi Brown (Sideman star) Martin Compston (Actor) Richard Gadd (Actor/comedian) Bryan Habana (Rugby) Dermot Kennedy (Musician and halftime performer) Harry Kewell (Former footballer) Kaylyn Kyle (Former footballer) Gorka Marquez (Strictly) Nadia Nadim (Footballer) Livi Sheldon (Diamond from Gladiators) Carlos Tevez (Former footballer) Edwin van der Sar (Former footballer) Nemanja Vidic (Former footballer) Billy Wingrove (Freestyle footballer) Big Zuu (Musician and TV personality) How to watch Soccer Aid? You will be able to tune in to watch Soccer Aid on Sunday 15 June. Kick off is at 7:30pm but you will be able to turn your TV on for pre-match content beforehand. Coverage will start at 6pm which means you have an hour and a half of pre-match show before the match begins. You can watch Soccer Aid 2025 live on ITV1 and ITVX will have you covered for a live stream on mobile devices. Where is Soccer Aid being held? This year's game is being played at Manchester United's ground Old Trafford. This isn't the first time the venue has been used, as the first ever match in 2006 was played here. Soccer Aid was also held at Old Trafford between 2010-2018 as well as most recently in 2023. However, other venues have also been used in the past such as Wembley, Stamford Bridge, City of Manchester Stadium and London Stadium. When did Soccer Aid begin? Soccer Aid was first launched in 2006 by former Take That star Robbie Williams and Jonathan Wilkes. It initially took place every two years but is now an annual event. Females were first allowed to play in the game in 2019 and it is the only mixed-sex match officially sanctioned by The Football Association. 2020 saw the event held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
