Taiwanese boxing boss Wu Ching-kuo to seek top IOC post
Boxing supremo joins crowded field to replace Jacques Rogge later this year
Wu Ching-kuo of Taiwan has confirmed he is running for president of the International Olympic Committee, becoming the fourth candidate and the second from Asia bidding to replace Jacques Rogge.
Wu, a 66-year-old architect who has been president of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) since 2006, told a packed news conference in Taipei yesterday he was declaring his candidacy in order to "positively impact society".
"Now that the time has come, I am ready to step up," he said. "The thought and concept to develop the IOC and Olympic movement … is the core principle of my candidature.
Now that the time has come, I am ready to step up. The thought and concept to develop the IOC and Olympic movement … is the core principle of my candidature
"The IOC and the Olympic Games have more power to positively impact society than any other organisation and project in the world."
Wu joins IOC vice-presidents Thomas Bach of Germany and Ng Ser Miang of Singapore, and Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico as declared candidates in the race to replace Rogge, a Belgian orthopaedic surgeon who will step down in September after 12 years at the IOC helm.
Sergei Bubka of Ukraine is also expected to declare as a candidate.
Wu declined to speculate during the news conference on his chances for election, except to say that he was popular among IOC members.