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Ricci Bitti elected President of SportAccord Convention

Xinhua, June 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

Francesco Ricci Bitti has been elected President of SportAccord Convention on Thursday following an Executive Committee meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.

This came two months following Marius Vizer's speech criticizing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its President Thomas Bach at this year's Convention in Sochi which caused such controversy. Vizer was forced to resign last month as head of both SportAccord and the SportAccord Convention.

Ricci Bitti, who also leads the ASOIF and is due to step down as International Tennis Federation President later this year, was one of Vizer's strongest critics.

Gian Franco Kasper - Association of Winter Olympic International Federations who, as senior vice-president, is currently serving as interim chair of the SportAccord Council - was also elected to the Convention's Executive Committee Thursday.

The SportAccord has also officially begun to find a host for next year's event after Sochi withdrew from hosting it again following the controversy.

"The SportAccord Convention has become a major event in the international sporting calendar, not only for the sports movement but also for the industry," said Ricci Bitti in a statement.

"I have always been one of its greatest supporters.

"When I was asked to consider the position of President, I accepted the honor and I am fully committed to continuing the successful development of the SportAccord Convention." Endi