How does criticism of the President of the International Olympic Committee sound like?
Let's switch back to Tokyo, last day, IOC general assembly.
The floor is given to Ingmar De Vos, President of the International Equestrian Federation, who will agree to further self-disempowerment in a few moments.
He speaks to Thomas Bach.
“Mr President, I want to thank you for being our leader in these very difficult times.
That you got us to have these games.
I think there were doubts a year ago.
You were strong, you went ahead.
The fact that we had these games is important for us international associations and our athletes, hence our greatest gratitude.
Many Thanks."
Criticism in disguise
After this introduction, the criticism disguised in a question: He was a representative of the international sports federations and was "a little surprised to see on Sunday morning" that in future the IOC executive can overturn a sport from the Olympic competition plan without that approval by the IOC members is required. De Vos would like to know what the procedure is to prepare such a decision. The Belgian got an answer from Bach's vice-president John Coates, who had hastily presented the plans in the tone of the expected approval. The answer, in summary: look at the weightlifters.
Now one would think that experienced sports officials would have a little more self-esteem than seeing themselves as committed to a future that from now on depends on the mercy of the closest leadership circle around the IOC president. In practice, however, they crave the money that the Olympic television contracts throw in.
Now one would wish that in the second decade of the 21st century a little more rubbed off from the rule of law principles and practices, especially to an organization whose president never tires of stressing for world peace, the future of humanity and the good to step in, who sees himself on a par with state leaders, for whom his Japanese hosts in Tokyo had only written his urge for the Nobel Peace Prize in the press review. In practice, however, the IOC leadership continues to follow the old custom with its rules of procedure: devised in the back room, guided by the president's interests in power, implemented by the submissive clientele.
Bach does this because he can. His members pay homage to him like a leader in a one-party state. One was astonished that the IOC officials did not wear Bach badges through Tokyo. Then continued in China. Less than 180 days until the Winter Games in Beijing. Bach's line is clear. The cyclists who wore Mao badges to the award ceremony were warned. Incident checked. In Bach's final press conference, his spokesman, Mark Adams, harshly dismissed questions about the human rights situation and Uyghurs imprisoned in camps, even about the state of preparation. Bach's power is unlimited. The IOC is him. The charter stipulates that his term of office ends in 2025. IOC members have just shown him how easy it is to change the charter.