More Federations Tumble Out of SportAccord As Bach Keeps Vizer Waiting

By Christian Radnedge

The governing bodies of table tennis, equestrian, curling and rugby all announced they were suspending their membership of SportAccord on Thursday.

That means the total number of federations who have now left the umbrellag organisation stands at 18, following president Marius Vizer’s criticism of the International Olympic Committee at last months convention in Sochi.

The fallout led to Vizer this week writing a statement trying to justify his original comments but also appealing to IOC president Thomas Bach in an attempt to engage in peace talks for the “unity of sport”.

In a letter of his own, Bach was in no rush to speak to the Romanian head of the International Judo Federation – though he has not ruled it out either.

Bach said: “As the president, I have the obligation to express the opinion of my organization rather than just a personal one. Therefore I will come back to you after the next IOC executive board meeting.”

That next exco meeting is due to be held in Lausanne on June 7-8.

The future of SportAccord now hangs in the balance, and reports suggested this week that the next three conventions, due to be held in Russia, were cancelled by the nation.

However these rumours were denied by SportAccord exclusively to iSportconnect.

{jcomments on}