Samaranch balks at another term
Samaranch balks at another term
JAKARTA (JP): President of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch made it clear yesterday that he would not run for another four-year term.
"In principal, I'm not going to bid for IOC presidency in the next election. My tenure is enough," Samaranch said in a brief press conference upon his arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport from Beijing.
Samaranch, accompanied by the committee's Vice President Kim Un-yong, arrived here for a two-day visit. His second trip to Indonesia is a part of a routine tour of Asia, which includes visits to China, Cambodia and South Korea. Samaranch set foot in Indonesia for the first time in 1983.
Top officials from the National Sports Council, Mohammad "Bob" Hasan and Arie Sudewo, met Samaranch, who flew here on his private aircraft, at the airport.
"My trips don't have anything to do with the upcoming election," Samaranch, who has traveled to China 19 times and South Korea 21 times, said. "I will have to change the rules if I intend to extend my tenure."
Samaranch, 75, was elected in 1976 to take Lord Killanin's place. The world's sports baron from Spain was given the next four terms, but IOC rules bar him from serving a sixth term.
IOC members will vote for their new president during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, the United States. The world sports governing body has had only seven presidents in its 100-year history.
"Long-time presidents indicate how stable IOC is," said Samaranch.
Samaranch said he witnessed world sports progress in an impressive way during his 19-year tenure. "My only worry is how to keep unity among national Olympic committees and international federations," he added.
Samaranch also expressed his concern about Indonesia's decision to withdraw its bid to host the 2002 Asian Games. "It's not easy to host a big event, but you still have the chance in 2006," he said.
The IOC president is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Soeharto at the State Palace today. Samaranch will also visit the national badminton training center at Cipayung, East Jakarta, before leaving for Cambodia. (amd)