Ng Ser Miang announces bid for Olympics’ top job
Singaporean Ng Ser Miang announced on Thursday that he will be running for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The 64-year-old first vice-president of the IOC revealed the news at the Sorbonne in Paris, making him the first Asean candidate for the top job.
In his announcement of his candidacy, he emphasised on the importance of using the power of the Olympics to benefit youths.
Ng will be up against German Olympic chief Thomas Bach for the post, which will be decided in a September 10 election in Buenos Aires.
According to Agence France Presse, other possible competitors could include former IOC executive board member Richard Carrion, former pole vault champion Sergei Bubka and Taiwanese C.K Wu.
If Ng wins the presidency, he would become the first Asian and also the first non-European holder of the post, greatly boosting both Asia and Singapore sport.
In a press release, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Sports Council Lim Teck Yin threw his support behind Ng, calling him a 'significant leading mover in Sporting Singapore'.
"During his tenure as chairman of the Singapore Sports Council, he laid the foundation for national sports participation through the provision of affordable, accessible sports facilities and programmes for everyone," read the release.
"His accomplishments and sustained strong desire to do the best for the sporting community stand testament to the Olympic values. He is a stalwart of support for our national athletes.”
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Singapore's Ng to bid to head IOC
